Woman Busted In Patchogue For DWAI After Driving Off From Bar In Another Person's Vehicle: Sheriff

PATCHOGUE, NY — An East Patchogue woman was arrested after the Suffolk Sheriff's office says she drove off from a bar in another person's vehicle and was later found driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs on Saturday morning.

Just before 3 a.m., deputy sheriffs saw a gray 2020 Mazda CX-5 speeding and traveling on the shoulder of the roadway, failing to maintain the lane, on Waverly Avenue, according to the sheriff's office.

During a traffic stop, deputies saw that the 35-year-old had slurred speech, exhibited signs of impairment, had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath, and she performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest, the sheriff's office said.

During the investigation, deputies learned the Mazda she was driving was reported stolen, and investigators determined that she had mistakenly entered and driven away in another person's vehicle after leaving a nearby bar, according to the office.

The vehicle's owner had inadvertently left the key fob inside the vehicle, and her own vehicle was the same make, model, and similar color, which was parked nearby, the office said.

Once the mistake was discovered, the vehicle was returned to its rightful owner, who declined to pursue criminal charges related to the incident, according to the office.

She pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance following her arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip, online court records show.

Sheriff Errol Toulon said his deputies "remain vigilant in identifying and removing impaired drivers from our roadways before they can cause serious harm."

"This incident also serves as a reminder to never leave your keys or key fob inside your vehicle, even for a short time," he added.