A wrong-way driver was arrested early Sunday morning after New York State Police stopped a vehicle traveling against traffic on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in the Town of Haverstraw.
According to New York State Police, troopers from the Haverstraw barracks responded at approximately 3:30 a.m. on February 8, 2026, to reports of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on the Palisades Interstate Parkway near Exit 14. Troopers located a 2020 Tesla traveling southbound in the northbound lanes near Exit 13.
Police stopped northbound traffic at the Exit 12 U-turn and successfully intercepted the vehicle. The driver was identified as Fabio M. Lopez, 56, of Grove City, Ohio. During the investigation, troopers determined Lopez was intoxicated. He was transported to State Police Haverstraw, where a chemical test revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18 percent.
Lopez was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (first offense), Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated per se with a BAC of 0.18 percent or higher, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, and multiple uniform traffic infractions.
He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Haverstraw Court on March 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
