Drunk Suffolk Mom Crashed SUV With 10-Year-Old Son Inside: Cops

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY —A Holbrook woman drove drunk with her 10-year-old son in her SUV before crashing the vehicle in Lake Ronkonkoma on Wednesday night, Suffolk police said.

Veliza Lugo was driving a 2022 Chevrolet SUV southbound on Hawkins Avenue, just north of Smith Street, when the vehicle struck two others just before 6 p.m., police said, adding that it was later determined Lugo was intoxicated.

No injuries reported in the crash and the child was released into the custody of family, police said.

Lugo, 42, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger 15 years old or younger under Leandra’s Law.

Leandra's Law allows law enforcement to charge a driver with felony DWI on the first offense if they are caught with a person 15 or younger inside their vehicle. It is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado who was killed in a DWI crash in New York City in 2009.

Lugo was also charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, and endangering the welfare of a child.

She was held overnight at the 4th Precinct in Hauppauge for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday.

The Chevrolet was impounded, police said.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the 4th Squad at 631-854-8452.