Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Felisa Elias Chaj was arrested Saturday night on DWI charges after Riverhead police discovered she was driving intoxicated with two minor children in her vehicle, according to the Riverhead Police Department. The traffic stop occurred at 1521 Old County Road in Riverhead when officers pulled Chaj over for driving with a non-lit headlamp.
During the initial contact, police observed that Chaj exhibited clear signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the distinct smell of alcohol on her breath, News 12 reports. Officers also discovered two minor passengers in the vehicle - children aged 4 and 12 years old - who were present during the alleged drunk driving incident.
Police administered a field sobriety test to Chaj at the scene, which authorities say indicated she was under the influence of alcohol. Based on the results of this assessment and the presence of the minor children, officers proceeded with the arrest on Saturday evening.
Chaj was subsequently charged with multiple offenses related to the incident. The primary charge was aggravated DWI with a child-passenger less than 16 years old, which carries enhanced penalties due to the presence of minors in the vehicle during the alleged intoxicated driving. She was also charged with standard DWI along with other related charges, according to police reports.
The arrest highlights the serious legal consequences faced by drivers who operate vehicles while intoxicated, particularly when children are present as passengers. The Riverhead Police Department has not released additional details about Chaj’s blood alcohol content level or the specific circumstances that led to the initial traffic stop beyond the non-functioning headlamp violation.
Location & Road Context
The arrest took place on Old County Road in Riverhead, specifically at the 1521 address marker. Old County Road serves as a significant thoroughfare in the Riverhead area, connecting residential neighborhoods with commercial districts and providing access to various local businesses and services throughout the community.
Riverhead, located in Suffolk County on Long Island’s East End, experiences regular police patrols along its major roadways, including Old County Road. The area where the stop occurred is part of a mixed-use corridor that sees both local residential traffic and visitors traveling to the region’s various attractions and businesses.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The charges filed against Chaj reflect the serious nature of driving while intoxicated with children present in the vehicle. The aggravated DWI charge specifically addresses cases where minors under 16 are passengers during an alleged drunk driving incident, carrying enhanced penalties compared to standard DWI offenses.
In addition to the aggravated DWI and standard DWI charges, police indicated that other related charges were filed, though specific details of these additional charges were not immediately disclosed by the Riverhead Police Department. The case will proceed through the Suffolk County court system where Chaj will face arraignment and potential additional legal proceedings.
Broader Impact
New York State law treats DWI cases involving child passengers as particularly serious offenses, with aggravated DWI charges carrying potential penalties including increased fines, longer license suspensions, and mandatory jail time. The presence of children under 16 in a vehicle during an alleged DWI incident can result in additional child endangerment considerations and potential involvement from child protective services, depending on the specific circumstances of each case.