Man Drove Drunk With 4 Children In Car: Nassau Police

WESTBURY, NY—A man was arrested in Westbury on Sunday, June 23 after he allegedly drove drunk with four children in the car, Nassau Police said.

Police noticed Tommie Hooks, 42, of Raleigh, North Carolina, driving a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox exit a parking lot at 1504 Old Country Road around 2:20 a.m. He allegedly drove directly through a red light while turning westbound onto Old Country Road. The officer who stopped Hooks smelled alcohol on his breath and noticed his slurred speech and glassy eyes. He was arrested without incident.

The car's passengers included Hooks' sons (ages 15 and 10), his niece (11), nephew (7) and 38-year-old male cousin. All four kids were released to a family member at the scene. No one was injured.

Hooks was charged with four counts of aggravated DWI under Leandra's Law, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of DWI and numerous VTL infractions. He was arraigned Sunday, June 23 at First District Court, 99 Main St. in Hempstead.