A devastating crash in Long Island has taken the lives of Bishop Donald Maxwell, 82, and his wife, Rev. Liscent Maxwell, 88, a couple widely known for their decades of faithful ministry and unwavering commitment to the church. The two were returning home from a church event when their vehicle was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver, ending a life of service that impacted countless believers.
As reported by the New York Post, the crash occurred on the Southern State Parkway when a driver allegedly traveling at high speed after consuming alcohol sideswiped another vehicle, lost control, crossed the median and entered oncoming traffic. The vehicle then slammed head-on into the car carrying the Maxwells, triggering a six-car pileup that sent 10 people to the hospital.
Bishop Maxwell served as bishop and general overseer of Pentecostal City Mission Church, while his wife ministered alongside him as a reverend. Together, they poured decades into building up their congregation in Far Rockaway, becoming pillars of spiritual leadership and examples of steadfast faith. Those who knew them described a couple who never missed a Sunday service and who remained fully devoted to the work of the Lord throughout their lives.
“They never missed any Sunday services in all their lives,” said Laura Uhle, a churchgoer who knew the couple. The Maxwells had been married for more than 60 years, standing side by side in both marriage and ministry, reflecting a legacy of unity, sacrifice and obedience to God’s calling.
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The crash left multiple victims injured. The individual driving the Maxwells’ vehicle suffered a broken arm and pelvis.
The alleged driver’s husband, who was a passenger in her vehicle, remains in critical condition with a brain bleed and two fractured femurs. Authorities said the driver, Diana Kutateladze, admitted to drinking whiskey and Cokes before the crash. She allegedly sideswiped another vehicle, lost control, crossed the median and struck the Maxwells’ vehicle head-on.
When police arrived, she showed signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes and the odor of alcohol, and later registered a blood alcohol level of 0.10. She has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, pleaded not guilty to multiple counts and is being held without bail.
If convicted, she faces between eight and 25 years in prison.
The loss of Bishop Maxwell and Rev. Maxwell has sent shockwaves through their church and the broader Christian community. Social media tributes have poured in from those whose lives were touched by their ministry, remembering them as faithful servants who led with humility and conviction.
One message shared online read, “Woke this morning to hear you’re not with us Bishop Maxwell and wife. Gone too soon.”
This tragedy is a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change, yet it also shines a light on a legacy rooted in faithfulness to Christ. Bishop Maxwell and his wife did not simply attend church, they built it, nurtured it and lived out the Gospel daily before those they served.
As the community mourns, remember to lift up the Maxwell family, their congregation and all those impacted by this tragedy in prayer. Pray for comfort, strength and peace that surpasses all understanding, and for the continued work of the ministry they labored in so faithfully for so many years.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
