Man Drove Drunk, High With A Child In His Vehicle In Brookhaven: Cops

BROOKHAVEN, NY — A Bay Shore man was drunk and high when he was pulled over in Brookhaven with a 10-year-old child in his vehicle on Thursday afternoon, Suffolk police said.

Joseph Acquavita was driving a 2005 Ford eastbound on Sunrise Highway near exit 57, at about 4 p.m. when a driver called 911 because they thought he appeared to be in distress, police said, adding that when officers responded, they saw him attempt a three-point-turn in front of 1118 South Sunrise Highway Service Rd., and then ordered him to park his vehicle.

Officers arrested Acquavita and brought him to the 5th Precinct, police said.

He was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger 15 years old or younger under Leandra’s Law, driving while ability impaired by drugs, endangering the welfare of a child, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Leandra’s Law is named after Leandra Rosado who was killed in an alleged drunk-driving crash in 2009.

The 10-year-old child was released to a family member, according to police.

Acquavita, 41, will be held overnight at the 3rd Precinct, and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.