A Coram woman was arrested after Suffolk County Sheriff’s deputies say she was driving the wrong way on Route 112 in East Patchogue while intoxicated at more than three times the legal limit.
Erin Valente, 49, was taken into custody after deputies spotted a Ford Fusion traveling southbound in the northbound lanes near Sunrise Highway. Authorities said deputies were able to stop the vehicle before a crash occurred.
According to officials, Valente showed clear signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. She failed field sobriety tests at the scene. A subsequent chemical breath test revealed a blood alcohol content of .25 percent, more than three times the legal limit of .08 percent.
“I commend our Deputy Sheriffs for stopping a tragedy from occurring on our roadways,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. “This woman was more than three times the legal limit and had no business being on the roadways.”
Deputies made three additional DWI arrests across Suffolk County later that night during routine patrols.
At approximately 10:36 p.m., a 20-year-old driver was arrested on Sunrise Highway after being found stopped in a travel lane and then attempting to drive on a blown-out tire. Authorities said her blood alcohol content measured .24 percent.
Earlier, at about 10:18 p.m., a 46-year-old driver was stopped on the Long Island Expressway for speeding and showed signs of intoxication. He refused a breath test and has prior DWI-related convictions, officials said.
Shortly before 2 a.m., a 27-year-old driver was arrested on Sunrise Highway after failing to maintain her lane. A breath test indicated a .14 percent blood alcohol level.
All four drivers were charged with driving while intoxicated and related offenses. Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.