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A Connecticut woman was charged with DWI under Leandra's Law for driving drunk with three teens under 16 in the car, according to Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith.
Sandra L. Diehl, 45, of New Fairfield, Conn., was stopped around 1:20 p.m. Friday, April 21, after the department received a call about a suspicious vehicle stopped along Old Route 22 in Patterson, said Capt. William McNamara.
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Irwin investigated and located the car on the roadside with Diehl at the wheel and three teenaged passengers with her, McNamara said.
The deputy determined that Diehl was allegedly intoxicated. He charged her with DWI and for a violation of what is commonly referred to as Leandra’s Law, which makes it a felony to drive drunk with children under the age of 16 in the vehicle, McNamara added.
After placing Diehl under arrest, deputies turned the minor passengers over to other responsible adults to provide them with transportation home.
Diehl was booked at the Sheriff’s Office and arraigned before Patterson Town Justice Michael Caruso, who set bail at $2,500.
If found guilty of the felony charge, she could face up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
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