21 Mar New York man faces drunk driving charges after dozing off
One New York man is facing drunk driving charges after he was allegedly found passed out in the driver’s seat of the car on March 9, 2018. The 23-year-old man from Westmoreland was found after a call came into local police, reporting that a driver was laying over the steering wheel of a car while stopped at Lawrence Street and Dix Road. The man had been found by a driver for the Westmoreland Department of Public Works; after encountering the vehicle blocking the roadway, the driver attempted to wake the man but failed.
After the driver was unable to awaken the driver, he called 911 to report the presence of the vehicle. The man later woke up and reportedly began to drive away from the location. However, rather than moving forward, he crashed into a snowbank on Lower Lawrence Street, leaving his vehicle disabled.
Police discovered the car and man after he had already crashed into the snowbank. The driver was arrested and charged with felony DWI charges as well as possession of marijuana. The driver was released and ordered to return to court on March 21 on the charges.
Drunk driving charges in New York can come with serious penalties, including confiscation of one’s driver’s license, costly fines and even prison time. When people have had multiple convictions for DUI or drunk driving, penalties can become progressively more severe. Felony DWI charges can also carry a criminal record that can have a significant impact on an accused person’s future life.
People who are facing drunk driving or other DUI charges in New York may benefit from working with a criminal defense lawyer in order to present a strong defense in negotiations as well as at trial. A lawyer may be able to challenge problematic evidence, including questionable traffic stops or unreliable testing, and work to protect the rights of an accused person.