Crime & Safety

Police: Drunk Driver Fell Flat on Face During DWI Stop

Port Chester police arrested two men in separate DWI stops; in both cases, the suspects had difficulty standing up when they were pulled over.

A Port Chester man's blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit and he was driving without a license when officers pulled him over Sunday, police said.

An officer spotted 29-year-old Rafael Gonzalez-Hernandez driving erratically on Haseco Avenue at midnight on Sunday, Lt. James Ladeairous said. Gonzalez-Hernandez's 2003 Nissan swerved as he drove south near the intersection of Irving Avenue, nearly striking several parked cars and crossing the double-yellow line repeatedly.

When Gonzalez-Hernandez was asked to step out of his Nissan during the traffic stop, he lost his balance and had to grip the car to keep from falling, according to the police report.

Gonzalez-Hernandez, of 32 Spring St., was charged with driving while intoxicated as well as aggravated DWI, both misdemeanors. The latter charge is issued when drivers register a blood alcohol level greater than .16, which is twice the legal limit. Aggravated DWI carries more severe penalties than a standard DWI charge.

In addition, the Port Chester man was charged with unlicensed driving and ticketed for driving with an open container. Police say Gonzalez-Hernandez had a case of Corona in the back seat and an open bottle in the front as he was pulled over.

Rye Brook man earns felony charge after second DWI

A Rye Brook man faces a felony drunk driving charge after he was arrested for his second DWI in less than five years, Port Chester police said.

Jaime Cruz, 39, was spotted swerving on South Regent street at 11:20 p.m. on Friday, Lt. James Ladeairous said. Cruz turned onto Clinton Place, then made another turn onto Fairview Avenue, crossing the double-yellow line several times before an officer caught up with him.

When the officer asked Cruz to step out of his car, Cruz fell on the ground and had to be helped up, Ladeairous said.

Cruz, of 28 Division St. in Rye Brook, was charged with felony DWI. The charge is a felony because Cruz has a previous DWI conviction in Port Chester dating back to May of 2007.

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