YAPHANK WOMAN INDICTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN DRUNK DRIVING CRASH THAT LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND ANOTHER INJURED

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Melissa Koprowski, 31, of Yaphank, was indicted for Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combination of Alcohol and a Drug, and other related charges, following a November 2024 crash on Middle Country Road that killed a passenger in another car, Esther Guy, 75, of Coram, and injured the driver.

“Driving while impaired is lethal activity and will be treated as such,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will seek justice for the family of Esther Guy and will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who chooses to threaten the safety of our roadways.”

According to the investigation, on November 22, 2024, at approximately 8:39 p.m., Melissa Koprowski was allegedly operating a 2014 Dodge Durango eastbound on Middle Country Road in Middle Island. As Koprowski entered the intersection at Wading River Hollow Road, she attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of oncoming traffic, without having the right of way. At that time, a blue 2022 Nissan Rogue was traveling westbound on Middle Country Road proceeding through the intersection with a green light. The driver’s two-year-old child and 75-year-old mother, Esther Guy, were seated in the backseat of the Nissan Rogue. Koprowski’s SUV crashed head-on into the Nissan Rogue within the west bound lane of the intersection sending the Rogue off the road and into the wooded shoulder. 

Immediately following the crash, Suffolk County police and other emergency responders rendered aid to those involved in the collision. All three occupants of the Nissan Rogue were transported via ambulance to Long Island Community Hospital where the driver of the Nissan Rogue was treated for her injuries. Esther Guy was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival to the hospital. The two-year-old child was uninjured. 

Koprowski was also transported to Long Island Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. While at the hospital, officers alleged that she displayed indicia of intoxication and placed her under arrest. 

On January 6, 2025, Koprowski was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz for the following charges:

• One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
• One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
• Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Unclassified misdemeanors;
• One count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, a Class A misdemeanor;
• One count of Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combination of Alcohol and a Drug, an Unclassified Misdemeanor; and
• One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified Misdemeanor.

Justice Horowitz ordered Koprowski held on $200,000 cash, $400,000 bond, or $1.5 million partially secured bond, and suspended Koprowski’s license during the pendency of the case. Koprowski is due back in court on February 5, 2025. She is being represented by John Halverson, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney MacDonald Drane of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Brian Whitehead of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.

###

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

725 Veterans Memorial Highway ● Building 77 ● Hauppauge, NY 11788 ● 631.852.3185

SuffolkCountyNY.gov/DA ● x.com/RayTierneyDA ● instagram.com/RayTierneyDA