Suffolk DA: Brentwood woman indicted in hit-and-run that killed mother of 5

Madeline Henriquez, of Brentwood, is led out of the Fourth... — Madeline Henriquez, of Brentwood, is led out of the Fourth Precinct in Central Islip on June. 2. Henriquez is charged in the deadly hit-and-run that killed Cherokee Fletcher, a mother of five, on May 23. Credit: James Carbone

By Matthew Chayesmatthew.chayes@newsday.com chayesmatthewUpdated July 26, 2022

A Brentwood woman has been indicted over a May hit-and-run crash in Hauppauge that killed a mother of five, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

In a news release, the office said that Madeline Henriquez, 22 at the time of the May 23 crash, had been charged with manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash, tampering with physical evidence and reckless driving.

The crash, about 10:08 p.m. on Motor Parkway and Wicks Road, killed Cherokee Fletcher, 28, "who was standing on the southeast corner."

The victim's five children range in age from 1 to 7.

According to the news release from the district attorney’s office: “Fletcher was killed as a result of being struck. The defendant did not slow or stop at the scene, but proceeded eastbound on Motor Parkway, returning to her home in Brentwood. The defendant had been out with others earlier in the evening drinking alcohol. The following morning, Henriquez had a tow truck pick up the Hyundai and bring it to another residence in Brentwood for repairs as a result of the crash.”

In describing the aftermath of the crash, the office said: “The windshield and passenger side of the vehicle had extensive damage consistent with being involved in a crash with both a vehicle and pedestrian.”

Henriquez was arraigned Tuesday, and Judge John B. Collins set bail at $35,000 cash, or $350,000 bond or partially secured bond. The case is due back in court Aug. 29.

Earlier this year, she was arrested and charged after an off-duty Suffolk County police sergeant spotted a damaged car on a flatbed truck, the acting Suffolk chief of detectives said, according to a Newsday story back then.

The sergeant had seen crash coverage in the news media and saw the vehicle with damage consistent with a pedestrian crash.

The sergeant, who wasn't publicly named, took note of the vehicle's license plate and make, then contacted detectives with the Major Case Unit, which was handling the crash case.

But by the time cops got to the scene, the flatbed was gone. Police canvassed the area and obtained glass and video evidence and Henriquez was later taken into custody.