Cops: Hicksville woman charged with Leandra's Law violation
According to police, Janine Lafiandra, 36, was driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz north on Main Street in Hempstead when she crashed into a 2004 Ford being driven by a 66-year-old man at West Columbia Street. (Jan. 9, 2014) Credit: NCPD
Nassau police arrested a Hicksville woman Thursday for driving under the influence of drugs with her 1-year-old son in the car, authorities said -- a violation of Leandra's Law.
According to police, Janine Lafiandra, 36, was driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz north on Main Street in Hempstead when she crashed into a 2004 Ford being driven by a 66-year-old man at West Columbia Street.
Lafiandra continued northbound and was found by Garden City police on Franklin Avenue in Garden City, officials said. Hempstead police responded, and determined that Lafiandra had been driving under the influence of drugs, with her son in the backseat.
Police said Lafiandra was arrested without incident, and her son was released to his grandmother. No injuries were reported.
Lafiandra, of 41 Alling St., has been charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Leandra's Law violation, two counts of driving while ability impaired and three counts of aggravated unlicensed operation. Police said her license was suspended at the time.
In 2007, Lafiandra pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
She is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Friday.
Leandra's Law was passed in 2009 after the death of Leandra Rosado, 11, who was killed in a DWI accident after the minivan in which she was a passenger crashed on the West Side Highway in Manhattan.
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