(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police have arrested a Dix Hills woman for driving under the influence of alcohol with her child in her vehicle following a motor vehicle crash.
Cristi Rivas was driving a 2007 Mercedes Benz GL450 southbound on Straight Path when her vehicle rear-ended a 2013 Honda Odyssey, driven by Khizar Kharam, at approximately 6 p.m.
Suffolk County Police have arrested Cristi Rivas, 38, of Dix Hills for driving under the influence of alcohol with her child in her vehicle following a motor vehicle crash. Photo Credit: SCPD.
Rivas’ son, age 3, was in the vehicle and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip for evaluation but did not appear injured. Kharam, 63, and Rivas, 38, were both transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries.
Rivas, of Dix Hills, was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger 15 Years Old or Younger (Leandra’s Law), Driving While Intoxicated and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She is scheduled to be arraigned November 1 at First District Court in Central Islip
The child was released to a family member.
The vehicle was impounded and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
