A Westbury man was caught driving while intoxicated this past weekend in Hempstead, charged with violating Leandra’s Law. According to Nassau County police, a highway patrol officer observed Juan Aristires Alvarenga Ortiz, 34, operate his 2006 Toyota erratically travelling north on Peninsula Boulevard in Hempstead on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 3:08 a.m. A subsequent stop of the defendant’s vehicle revealed Oritz was operating under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Additionally his 7 month year old daughter was restrained in a car seat in the rear driver’s side. Ortiz was placed into police custody and the child was released to her 26-year-old mother who was a front seat passenger. No injuries were reported. His vehicle was impounded.
Ortiz is being charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated (Leandra’s Law), endangering the welfare of a child, driving while intoxicated 1192.3, driving while intoxicated 1192.2 and numerous vehicle and traffic law violations. He was arraigned in first district court in Hempstead on Sunday, Jan. 17.
