Crime & Safety
Wrong-Way DWI Driver Caught In East Patchogue Was Nearly 3X Legal Limit: Sheriff
Three other drivers were arrested the same night, with one having multiple DWI convictions in the past 15 years, sheriff says.
EAST PATCHOGUE, NY — A Coram woman, who drove down Route 112 the wrong way, had a blood alcohol concentration level of three times the legal limit when she was caught, the Suffolk County Sheriff's office said.
The 49-year-old was caught near Sunrise Highway, and had a reading of .25 percent BAC, according to the office.
Three others were also arrested for DWI the same night during the routine patrol, including a woman whose speech was slurred, her eyes were bloodshot, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon's office said.
Find out what's happening in Patchoguefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
She was charged with a misdemeanor, online court records show.
Another woman was found stopped in the right lane of eastbound Sunrise Highway near Exit 46A with her hazard lights activated, and when deputies approached to conduct a welfare check, she began to drive while operating the vehicle on a blown-out front tire rim, according to Toulon.
Find out what's happening in Patchoguefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Her BAC was .24 percent, nearly three times the legal limit, Toulon's office said.
Elias Rudy, 46, was pulled over for speeding at 75 mph, failed sobriety tests, and refused to submit to a chemical breath test, Toulon's office, said, adding that he has multiple prior DWI-related convictions within the past 15 years, according to Toulon's office.
He was charged with felony DWI, online court records show.
Another woman was caught on Sunrise Highway, just west of Exit 52A, after failing to maintain her lane, and her BAC was .14 percent, Toulon's office said.
She was charged with a misdemeanor, online court records show.
Toulon said that all of the drivers "posed a serious danger to the public," and he applauded his deputies for keeping the "communities safe."
"Let this serve as a reminder: if you are under the influence, do not get behind the wheel,” he said, adding that the driver who was three times the legal limit was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and other traffic violations.
"The additional defendants were also charged with Driving While Intoxicated and related offenses," he added.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
