Beloved Pentecostal Bishop and Wife Killed by Drunk Driver Returning From Church on Long Island
Bishop Donald Maxwell, 82, and wife Liscent Maxwell, 88, killed when drunk driver crossed median on Southern State Parkway.
Elderly Pentecostal Bishop and Wife Killed by Drunk Driver on Long Island Parkway
Bishop Donald Maxwell, 82, and his wife Reverend Liscent Maxwell, 88, were killed on Sunday night, March 15, 2026, when a drunk driver crossed the center median of the Southern State Parkway in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, and struck their vehicle head on.
The couple, married for nearly 60 years, were returning from a church event when the collision occurred at approximately 10:13 p.m. just west of Exit 17 South.
According to New York State Police, Diana Kutateladze, 36, of Oceanside, was driving a 2020 black Cadillac Escalade westbound when she sideswiped a gray BMW. She then lost control, crossed the center median, and continued traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lanes before crashing head on into the Maxwells' 2016 black Toyota Highlander.
The chain reaction crash involved six vehicles and ten people total. Bishop Maxwell and Reverend Maxwell were pronounced dead at the scene. One other victim was left in critical condition, while the remaining victims sustained non life threatening injuries.
Bishop Maxwell served as the general overseer of Pentecostal City Mission Church, a ministry with multiple locations across the United States and internationally, headquartered in Far Rockaway, Queens. The church describes itself as a "community of believers" committed to communicating the gospel "holistically, irrespective of race, color, gender and economic status."
Congregant Sherlette Gladden expressed the community's devastation:
Can't believe just spoke to you last Sunday, now you're no longer going to be here.
Kutateladze admitted to consuming Coke and whiskey before getting behind the wheel. Blood testing confirmed her alcohol level was above the legal limit. She has been charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the first and second degree, second degree assault, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. She pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bail.
The eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway remained closed until approximately 5 a.m. Monday morning as investigators processed the scene.
Pentecostal City Mission Church Mourns Loss of Founding Bishop Donald Maxwell and Wife in DWI Crash
The Maxwells dedicated their lives to ministry, building Pentecostal City Mission Church from a single congregation in Far Rockaway into an international ministry spanning multiple cities and countries. Their nearly six decades of marriage stood as a testament to their faith and commitment.
The church community and believers across New York are now left to mourn two pillars of their faith who were taken in an instant by a senseless act of drunk driving.
The Crusader's Opinion
Two faithful servants of God. Nearly 60 years of marriage. A lifetime building churches, saving souls, and serving their community. Gone in a single moment because a 36 year old woman decided her cocktail of Coke and whiskey was more important than every life on that road. Bishop Donald Maxwell was 82. Reverend Liscent Maxwell was 88. They survived decades of challenges to build something eternal, only to be destroyed by someone who could not put down a drink. This is evil. There is no other word for it. Drunk driving is not a "mistake." It is a choice that ends lives. Every year in America, thousands of families are shattered because someone chose a bottle over basic human decency. The courts must deliver justice. Not a plea deal. Not a slap on the wrist. Justice.
Take Action
- Pray for the Pentecostal City Mission Church community as they mourn the loss of their beloved Bishop and Reverend. Visit their church site at pcmcworld.com
- Contact the Nassau County District Attorney's office to urge that Diana Kutateladze face the maximum penalties under New York law: (516) 571 3800
- Support Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in their fight to end drunk driving: www.madd.org
- If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1 800 662 4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
- Support Christian journalism and persecuted believers through www.TheShepherdsShield.org
