Convicted Drunken Driver Accused of Bypassing Ignition Interlock

An Ossining man has become the first convicted drunken driver in Westchester County to be indicted for allegedly circumventing the ignition interlock law, according to the Westchester County D.A.'s office.

The 45-year-old was arraigned on a six-count indictment.  He was charged DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, felonies.  He was also charged with operating  a motor vehicle without the required interlock device and without a court-ordered ignition interlock device, misdemeanors. He also was cited for speeding and unsafe lane-change, violations.

The law was enacted in August and requires convicted drunken drivers to use this device before driving. The provision was part of Leandra's Law, which charges a driver with a felony if they drive drunk with a child under the age of 15-years-old inside the car.

He is due back in court on May 3. He will face up to seven years in state prison if convicted.