Lawn Tractor Driver Was Drunk On Highway: Sheriff's Office

MILAN, NY — A Dutchess County man is in legal trouble after being accused of driving a lawn tractor while drunk. A county deputy sheriff who was on patrol on Route 199 in the Town of Milan around 5:20 p.m. June 2 said he saw a man driving a Husqvarna lawn tractor east on the highway with an open container of an alcoholic beverage.

The sheriff's office deputy said Joseph G. White, 53, of Milan, was intoxicated.

When White's license was checked, it was found that his privilege to drive in New York had been revoked for a prior DWI conviction and that he also had two active suspensions.

Additionally, the sheriff's office said White had an ignition interlock device restriction for any motor vehicle he was operating.

He was charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony; driving while intoxicated and operating without a court ordered ignition interlock device, misdemeanors, and open container of alcohol in motor vehicle and depositing refuse on a highway, traffic infractions.

After White was processed, he was released to appear in the Town of Milan Court June 29.

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