Mother Charged With Felony DWI After Crashing With 2-Year-Old Son in Car

LAKE GROVE, NY - A Ronkonkoma woman faces a felony DWI charge under Leandra’s Law after she was involved in a two-vehicle crash with her 2-year-old son in her car Sunday evening, Suffolk Police said.

According to police, 26-year-old Rashelle Mann was driving a 2006 Nissan Altima east on Middle Country Road in Lake Grove when she attempted to make a left hand turn onto Moriches Road at about 5:40 p.m. A 2014 Toyota RAV4 that was traveling west on Middle Country Road struck the Nissan near the front entrance of the Smith Haven Mall.

Mann’s 2-year-old son was transported via Nesconset Fire Department ambulance to Stony Brook University Medical Center for evaluation, but he did not appear injured, police said.

The driver of the Toyota, Cindy Tran, 20, of Hauppauge, was also transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with minor injuries.

Mann was charged with aggravated DWI with a child passenger 15 years old or younger, DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and endangering the welfare of a child. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Mann’s son was released to a family member.

The investigation is continuing and detectives are asking anyone with information about the crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

Photo: SCPD, Google Maps