The New York State Legislature has agreed to a bill that would toughen DWI laws in New York. If passed, the new law would make it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child as a passenger. In addition, the bill deemed “Leandra’s Law”, would require those convicted of DWI to install an ignition-interlock system in their vehicle as part of their sentence.
The bill is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who died last month in an accident in Manhattan (NYC) as a passenger in a vehicle whose driver was drunk.
The agreement also comes on the heels of a deadly crash in Westchester, NY that killed 8 people, including four children. The driver, Diane Schuler, was allegedly drunk and high while driving the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway at the time of the accident.
The new law would carry a possible prison sentence of one to four years incarceration for a first offense. However, it unclear whether the bill with pass in the Senate.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact the New York Accident Attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC for a free consultation.
Website Resources:
Lawmakers: Felony DWI if child is in car, Journal News, Joseph Spector, November 18, 2009.
