Just over a week after her DWI arrest in a fatal motor vehicle accident in Jamesport, the Southold High School teacher retired from her job of over 20 years.
The Southold board of education last night approved a resolution accepting the retirement of Diane O’Neill, 65, a longtime math teacher who once headed up the honors society. The board was taken without comment.
Police accuse O’Neill of being drunk when she hit George Kurovics, 90, with her westbound 2007 Mercedes-Benz on Main Road near Herricks Lane in Jamesport at about 7:15 p.m. on January 13.
Kurovics was in the road after picking up the body of his cat, which had been hit by another vehicle in an earlier incident, according to Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller.
“This is a very unfortunate situation. My heart goes out to all those involved,” Southold Superintendent David Gamberg said in an email this morning. The retirement is effective immediately, Gamberg said.
“She was a well-loved and highly respected teacher,” he said.
O’Neill, of Farmingville, remains free on $10,000 bail, posted by her son following her arraignment on a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge before Riverhead Town Justice Allen Smith Jan. 14. She is next due back in court Feb. 25.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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