Police: Freeport woman says not guilty in DWI accident injuring passenger

Freeport resident Jessica Coleman pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Monday in the First District Court in Hempstead. Coleman was charged with vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.

The 22-year-old was driving a 2005 Jeep Liberty heading east on Merrick Road in Freeport when she drove of the road and hit a utility pole in the 200 block of Merrick Road at 8:50 p.m. on Sunday, June 11.

Coleman’s passenger, an unidentified 22-year-old woman, was not wearing her seat belt in the backseat and was thrown in the rear cargo area by the impact of the crash, reports show. The woman suffered severe head injuries and in hospital under critical condition. Coleman sustained minor injuries.

Coleman is represented by defense attorney Dan Russo and was granted $5,000/$25000 bail and her license was suspended.