Luxury Designer Edward Yedid Arrested After Allegedly Drunken Porsche Crash in the Hamptons

Luxury Designer Edward Yedid Arrested After Allegedly Drunken Porsche Crash in the Hamptons

Edited by: TJVNews.com

On Christmas afternoon, a quiet road in East Hampton turned into the scene of a harrowing collision when Edward Yedid, a prominent luxury home designer and co-founder of the high-end architecture and design firm Grade New York, allegedly crashed his silver 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S into an oncoming vehicle. As reported by The New York Post on Wednesday, Yedid, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, delivered a flippant remark to police when asked how much he had been drinking: “Just today?”

According to the information provided in The New York Post report, the crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Newtown Lane, a typically calm road in the affluent Hamptons enclave. Yedid, dressed in “head-to-toe designer clothes,” was reportedly speeding when he veered into the oncoming lane, colliding with a 2016 black BMW SUV carrying a family of three.

Arianna Thomas, a 30-year-old East Hampton resident and a passenger in the BMW, recounted the terrifying moment to The New York Post. Thomas explained that she, her partner, and her father were casually driving to see the movie Wicked when Yedid’s Porsche came around a corner at high speed. “We only had a second to react, and he just smashed into us,” Thomas said.

Thanks to her father’s quick reflexes, the family narrowly avoided a head-on collision. Instead, the Porsche struck the left front side of the BMW, reducing the severity of the impact and potentially saving lives. Both vehicles sustained significant damage, and all four individuals involved were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries, according to police and the information in The New York Post report.

When Yedid emerged from his luxury sports car, his behavior immediately raised suspicions. Thomas told The New York Post that the smell of alcohol was overwhelming as Yedid approached them. She described his bloodshot eyes and unsteady demeanor and said that his expensive attire contrasted sharply with the chaotic scene of the crash.

Police at the scene confirmed Thomas’ observations. As per the information provided in The New York Post report, the arrest report detailed the officer’s account, noting that Yedid had, “The odor of an alcoholic beverage upon his breath, as well as Bloodshot, glassy eyes and unsteady footing.”

In a moment that has since drawn significant attention, Thomas said Yedid asked if her family was okay. Her response was terse: “I told him not to speak to me.”

When questioned by law enforcement about how much he had been drinking, Yedid allegedly responded flippantly, “Just today?” as reported by The New York Post.

Additionally, Yedid performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests administered at the scene. A preliminary breath test was also conducted, after which Yedid was placed under arrest. However, The New York Post report indicated that his blood-alcohol content was not disclosed in the arrest documents.

Following the collision, The New York Post reported that Yedid allegedly addressed the family in the BMW with a casual apology, saying, “Sorry, my car just drives really fast.” This comment, coupled with his alleged intoxication, only heightened the family’s anger and frustration.

Additionally, when questioned by police about his alcohol consumption, his sardonic response—”Just today?”—further emphasized his apparent lack of seriousness about the gravity of the situation.

Yedid, 46, is a well-known figure in New York’s elite design circles. As co-founder of Grade New York, he has been celebrated for his architectural and interior design projects catering to high-end clients. The New York Post report said that in 2019 Yedid and his wife were featured in a New York Times article showcasing their $2.3 million fixer-upper on the Upper East Side.

The stark contrast between his professional image and his behavior during the incident has shocked many who know him personally and professionally.

The crash comes amid heightened awareness surrounding drunk driving incidents, especially in high-traffic holiday periods. As The New York Post report pointed out, the Hamptons are no strangers to high-profile car crashes involving affluent residents and visitors.

Following the crash, Yedid was arrested at the scene and transported to Southampton Hospital for evaluation, where he was later released with instructions to return to the police station on December 27 to complete his processing. According to The New York Post, Yedid now faces several charges, including, driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, speeding without reason and driving an uninspected vehicle.

Court records obtained by The New York Post indicate that Yedid was released after his initial processing and is scheduled to appear for arraignment on January 8.

Yedid did not respond to The New York Post’s requests for comment, and it remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel.

Yedid is no stranger to public attention. As the co-author of the 2019 book “New York Contemporary: Grade Architecture and Interiors,” he has been celebrated for his sophisticated design aesthetic. According to information contained in The New York Post report, Yedid has also been featured in an upscale lifestyle profile titled “Cool Hot Spots in the Hamptons: Edward Yedid’s Favorite Recommendations” on the luxury home-goods marketplace Invisible Collection.

In the interview, Yedid shares his fondness for high-end Hamptons establishments, including Le Bilboquet in Sag Harbor, which he describes as “elegant, on the water, wonderful food and service, feels like Europe and the ambiance is energetic.”

This curated public persona—one of refined taste and affluent sophistication—stands in stark contrast to the allegations he now faces.

While Yedid’s future is now tied to the legal system, The New York Post report highlighted the physical and emotional toll the crash has taken on Thomas and her family.

Thomas described her injuries as bruising on her right knee, while her partner suffered a cut on his nose and a bruise on his head. Her father, who had heroically swerved to reduce the crash’s impact, is now suffering from persistent back pain.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Thomas told The New York Post, “We were in the hospital for Christmas.” She added, “It showed how quickly life could change.”

The timing of the incident—on Christmas Day—only shines a proverbial spotlight on the preventable nature of tragedies tied to impaired driving. According to the report in The New York Post, the Hamptons are no stranger to high-profile car accidents involving affluent individuals, but this case has drawn particular attention due to Yedid’s public stature and alleged behavior at the scene.

Law enforcement officials continue to stress the importance of responsible driving, particularly during holiday seasons when celebrations often involve alcohol.

As Yedid prepares for his January 8 arraignment, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on his actions and the potential consequences. Legal experts cited by The New York Post suggest that the combination of his reported intoxication, his remarks to police, and his driving violations could lead to significant legal repercussions, including fines, a suspended license, and possibly jail time.

For now, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of impaired driving, regardless of one’s status or profession.

While the legal system takes its course, the echoes of Yedid’s alleged words—”Sorry, my car just drives really fast”—serve as a haunting reminder of how quickly reckless choices behind the wheel can turn into life-altering moments.