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Oct 1 2021

Long Island woman charged with aggravated DWI after crash with two kids in car

An East Islip woman was arrested after crashing into a tree in Greenport on Long Island, New York. Southold Town Police alleged she was driving while intoxicated (DWI) with her two children in the vehicle.

Kerri Kulla, 37, was charged with first-degree DWI and aggravated DWI under Leandra’s Law. Under Leandra’s Law, it is a felony to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child younger than 16 in the vehicle. She was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Kulla was driving a 2013 Ford Fusion with her children, ages six and nine, in the car. She hit a tree while heading west on Front Street but continued driving. Police located Kulla near the Drossos Motel and arrested her on suspicion of intoxication. Her vehicle was impounded.

A driver may face an aggravated DWI charge for having twice the legal limit of blood alcohol content (BAC) in their system. A conviction for the same charge is also possible under Leandra’s Law for driving intoxicated with a child in the car, as in this case.

Higher intoxication and endangerment of children mean harsher consequences. An aggravated DWI charge in New York carries stiff penalties such as potential jail time, license revocation, high fines, ignition interlock installation and probation supervision.

Anyone who has been charged with aggravated DWI should retain an experienced DWI defense lawyer right away. Brill Legal Group can explore effective defense strategies to challenge the charges successfully. For example, your rights may have been violated during a traffic stop, or your blood sample was tainted. Contact us today to learn more about how our New York aggravated DWI defense attorneys can help.