Copiague Woman, 19, Arrested After Hempstead Crash

A Copiague woman was arrested for assault and several other charges following a serious accident that occurred early Sunday in Hempstead, police said.

According to detectives, Cristela Umana-Herrera, 19, of 53 Croydon Road, was operating a 1993 Acura westbound on Front Street in an unauthorized speed contest with a second unknown vehicle beginning at High Street at 3:46 a.m. Sunday.

Umana-Herrera lost control of her vehicle, which struck a utility pole on the northwest side of W. Orchard Street at Front Street, police said. Umana-Herrera was admitted with a serious head injury, and her vehicle was impounded for brake and safety checks.

The vehicle was also occupied by a 20-year-old woman in the front passenger seat and a 29-year-old man in the rear right passenger seat, police said. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The second vehicle has not been located.

Umana-Herrera is charged with third degree assault, two counts of second degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, illegal speed contest and additional vehicle and traffic law violations. Umana-Herrera was issued a desk appearance ticket returnable on Dec. 24 to the First District Court in Hempstead.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the accident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.