NYC Man Faces Felony Charges Under Leandra's Law: NYSP

NEW PALTZ, NY — A New York City man was accused of drunken driving on the Thruway while he had two teenage children in the car.

The New York State Police said troopers found a disabled vehicle that had run out of gas on Interstate 87 in the town of New Paltz around 10 p.m. Tuesday.

While speaking with the driver — Eric J. Ramos, 45 of New York — troopers determined he was intoxicated and was traveling with two 13-year-old children in the car. He also had a suspended license, police said.

Authorities said the children were given a ride to the station and turned over to a family member.

Ramos was taken into custody and processed at the Kingston barracks where his blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.18 percent.

He was charged with two counts of driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, felonies, and driving while intoxicated and aggravated driving while intoxicated, misdemeanors.

Ramos was released to a sober third party and issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Esopus Court March 1.

In New York, Leandra's Law or the Child Passenger Protection Act was passed to make driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs when a child is in the car.