Wrong-Way Tesla On The Palisades Ends In DWI Arrest For Ohio Driver: NYSP

TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW, NY — A potential disaster was avoided, but cops who stopped a car headed the wrong way on the Palisades say the driver is now facing charges.

The New York State Police say that on Sunday, around 3:30 a.m., troopers from the Haverstraw barracks responded to the Palisades Interstate Parkway, near Exit 14, in the Town of Haverstraw, after receiving a report of a vehicle traveling the wrong way.

Troopers located a 2020 Tesla traveling south in the northbound lanes near Exit 13. Troopers then head for the Exit 12 U-turn, where northbound traffic was stopped, and then intercepted and stopped the car.

While interviewing the driver, identified as 56-year-old Fabio M. Lopez, of Grove City, Ohio, police determined that he was intoxicated. He was taken to State Police Haverstraw, where his blood alcohol content (BAC) was revealed to be 0.18 percent.

Lopez was arrested and charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (1st offense); misdemeanor aggravated driving while intoxicated (BAC of 0.18 percent or more, no prior offenses); misdemeanor reckless driving, misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment; and several uniform traffic infractions.

He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Haverstraw Court on March 5.