Suffolk County Police this morning arrested a man for driving while intoxicated under Leandra’s Law after he crashed his vehicle in Hauppauge with a 12-year-old child passenger.
Rafael Garcia-Erazo was driving a westbound 2016 Nissan sedan on Express Drive North, approaching the intersection of Wheeler Road, when his vehicle struck the back of a 2014 Volkswagon sedan that was stopped at a red light at 1:04 a.m. The impact caused the Volkswagon to strike the back of a 2012 Ford that was stopped ahead of it, which in turn caused the Ford to crash into the back of a 2006 Nissan in front of it.
The driver’s cousin Rosa Avelar-Erazo, 34, of Westbury, and a 12 year old girl were passengers in the 2016 Nissan at the time of the crash. There were no injuries.
Fourth Squad detectives charged Rafael Garcia-Erazo, 34, of 195 Maplewood Drive, Westbury, with Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger 15 Years Old or Younger (Leandra’s Law), and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The vehicle was impounded for evidence.
Rafael Garcia-Erazo is being held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on November 29.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
