A new law in New York makes it a felony to drive drunk orunder the influence of drugs with a child in the vehicle and will require firsttime DWI offenders to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles.
Governor David A. Paterson signed the Child PassengerProtection Act on Wednesday. The law is known as Leandra’s Law in honor of 11year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed in a drunken driving accident inOctober.
Under the new law, first time offenders with a blood alcoholcontent of .08 percent or higher, or under the influence of drugs, with a childage 15 or younger in the vehicle, will automatically have their drivers licensesuspended, will have an ignition interlock device installed in their car andmay be charged with a Class E felony, punishable up to four years in prison.
Leandra’s father, Lenny Rosado, said after the law wassigned, “on that night of October 11, I lost my only child. As a single parent,she was my heart, my soul and my best friend.”
If you or someone you know has been injured in a caraccident, please contact a New York City Personal Injury Attorney or OrlowOrlow & Orlow by calling 718-544-4100.