Report: Holtsville Woman Charged In DWI Crash Blames Victim

A Holtsville woman, who faces charges due to a wrong-way, head on crash in Patchogue Friday night, blames the victim for the incident, said Suffolk County Police to Newsday.

According to the report citing police, Natalie Leontiev, 38, of Holtsville drove a 2010 Honda CR-V the wrong way, westbound on the eastbound side of the Sunrise Highway service road, near Phyllis Drive for over a mile.

Around 8:25 p.m. Friday, her car allegedly struck a 2002 Toyota 4Runner driven by Armida Zelata, 39 of Patchogue. The Toyota sustained only minor bumper damage. No people were injured in the crash, police told Newsday.

The report says that the CR-V had extensive front-end damage and was still running in the garage, according to police. An officer is stated to have seen Leontiev climb out of the car and attempt to flee into the house.

The officer is reported to have stopped Leontiev, and noticed stumbling, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an alcohol smell.

Court records cited by Newsday say that Leontiev told police that Zelata crashed into her, and that she claims Zelata was on her side of the street.

Newsday reports that Leontiev was jailed on $120,000 bond or $40,000 cash bail on Saturday, and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a felony charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Read the original report in Newsday (subscription), which includes details regarding Leontiev's testimony on her background that they investigated and details from Zelata's husband regarding the crash.