Woman Accused Of Driving Drugged With Kids In Car

PHILIPSTOWN, NY — A Dutchess County woman was accused of driving under the influence of drugs while she had children in her car. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department said Ellexis Hoerl, 23, of Pleasant Valley, was charged with two counts of felony DWI under Leandra's Law and driving while ability impaired by drugs, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors.

The sheriff's office said it received a report around 5:30 p.m. July 18 of an accident involving a car going into a reservoir in the area of Fishkill Road in the Town of Philipstown.

Authorities said the investigation found that Hoerl, who was babysitting the two children, was impaired by drugs when she crashed through a guardrail and went off a retaining wall into the reservoir.

The children, who are siblings, were taken to a nearby hospital and released, without injury, to their parents.

Hoerl was also found to be in possession of concentrated cannabis and amphetamine dextroamphetamine (Adderall).

She was arrested and was held for arraignment.

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