(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced Jennifer Nelson, 35, of Shirley, was indicted for allegedly hitting a 15-year-old boy with her car, driving over him twice, fleeing the scene, and then attempting to conceal the vehicle she used by trading it in later that day.
“This defendant – an adult – allegedly thought she could take the law into her own hands and tried to kill a 15-year-old in the process,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant’s incredibly misguided attempt to avenge the alleged victimization of her own child is no excuse. Citizens cannot take the law into their own hands, and should instead work with law enforcement and my office to seek justice in every case.”
Nelson was indicted and arraigned on the following charges:
One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony;
One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
One count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D felony; and
One count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Serious Physical Injury, a Class E felony.
According to the investigation, on October 7, 2022, Nelson drove her 2020 Honda Passport to the Dunkin’ Donuts located across from William Floyd High School. She believed that students who participated in a robbery targeting her son earlier that day, were still present at the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot, and she allegedly wanted to confront them.
Once in the parking lot, Nelson threatened a group of students while brandishing a knife and a small bat. During this incident, the victim left the parking lot and walked across the street to the parking lot of Manhattan Bagel. Nelson allegedly then got back into her vehicle, left the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot, crossed Mastic Road, entered the parking lot of Manhattan Bagel at a high rate of speed, and drove directly at the victim who was standing in the parking lot. Nelson’s vehicle struck the victim who then fell onto the ground. Nelson proceeded to drive over the victim, up onto a curb, reversed, drove over the victim again, and then fled the scene. Later that evening, Nelson allegedly traded her 2020 Honda Passport in for a newer model, even though her lease was not set to expire.
The victim suffered serious physical injury including multiple fractures of the pelvis, six fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and numerous bruises and abrasions.
At her arraignment on the indictment today, Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei ordered the defendant released on her own recognizance. The District Attorney’s Office recommended bail set at $250,000 cash, $1 million bond or $2.5 million partially secured bond. Nelson is due back in court on March 21, 2023. She is being represented by Paul D’Emilia, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Veronica McMahon and Tara O’Donnell of the Major Crime Bureau.