Hempstead man charged with DWI on Southern State

Jorge Medrano drove his black Toyota Highlander onto the Meadowbrook Parkway early Saturday in Freeport without headlights or brake lights, police said.

New York State Police said that caused troopers to stop the Hempstead man's SUV and find he had "bloodshot watery eyes, poor motor coordination and smelled of alcohol."

Medrano was given a breath test. Police said his blood alcohol content was .18 percent and he was arrested at 1:19 a.m.

Medrano, 24, of 97 Fairway Dr. in Hempstead, was charged with driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with a suspended license and what police termed "several vehicle and traffic violations."

His arraignment details were not immediately clear.

The stop occurred after troopers said they followed the vehicle north on the Meadowbrook and witnessed Medrano "pick up speed, change lanes several times" and cross hazard markings to exit the Meadowbrook and enter the westbound Southern State Parkway.