NYS Police Arrest Several WNY People For DWI During Holiday

Prior to the 4th of July weekend in New York, the state announced that police would be cracking down on drunk and impaired drivers. Several people from Western New York were arrested during the enforcement period this weekend (one Hamburg woman was arrested prior to the crackdown).

The endorsement period for the increased drunk driving patrols kicked off at 6 pm on Friday, July 1, 2022, and ran through 3 am on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

During this enforcement period, drivers can expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel.

Between 2009 and 2018, the number of drunk driving fatalities in New York State was 3,233.

According to New York State Police,

In New York State slightly more than 30% of the fatal crashes are alcohol related. There is also an injury every 2 minutes associate with drunk driving. A driver suspected of impaired driving may be asked to submit to a blood, breath, urine or saliva test to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs in the body.

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NYSP Troopers Arrest Newfane Man For DWI

Troopers with the State Police precinct in Lockport arrested a 33-year-old Newfane man July 3, 2022, just before 8:30 pm. They responded to a call about an erratic driver near Campbell Boulevard and Tonawanda Creek Road in the town of Pendleton. When officers pulled over Kyle M. Burkwit they allegedly smelled alcohol. Troopers say Burkwit allegedly failed several standardized field sobriety tests. He also had Xanax, which was not in its original container. Burkwit was arrested and charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Drugs/Alcohol, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th, and other vehicle and traffic infractions. While at the Lockport precint, he refused to submit to a chemical test.

Clarence Man Charged With Aggravated DWI

A Clarence man was arrested during the holiday DWI crackdown. On July 2, 2022, 42-year-old Eric J. Zyers was arrested by New York State Police in Clarence after they responded to an accident involving two vehicles at the intersection of Wehrle Drive and Transit Road. Zyers' Blood Alcohol Content was .18%. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, and failing to stop at a red light. His follow-up court date in Clarence Court is July 12, 2022.

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Hamburg Woman Arrested By NYSP For DWI

A 31-year-old Hamburg woman was arrested by State Troopers from the Holland precinct for DWI on June 28, 2022. Brittany R. Catalino was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and controlled substance not in original container. Troopers received several reports of a vehicle driving erratically on SR 16 in Holland. Catalino allegedly crashed the car. Troopers recorded a .21% Blood Alcohol Content. During a search, officers also found two bars of Xanax and one Adderall pill. She is due back in Holland court on July 28, 2022.

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Here's The Penalty For Getting Caught Driving While High In New York State

Before you decide to consume cannabis and then illegally drive under the influence in New York, you should know the real cost of your decision. Not only will you have to pay up in dollars, but you'll also pay with time, a hit to your license, and possibly injury or death.

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are pretty harsh in New York according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.