On November 24, 2024, New York State Police (NYSP) arrested Genaro Garcia-Cortes, 45, of the Bronx, on charges of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) under Leandra’s Law, a class “E” felony.
Troopers patrolling the Ramapo Service Area around 2:58 a.m. observed a 2017 Nissan pickup truck parked with its headlights on. Upon approach, they discovered Garcia-Cortes asleep in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition and an empty beer bottle in the front cup holder. A female passenger and a 10-year-old girl were also present in the vehicle.
Detecting the odor of alcohol, officers arrested Garcia-Cortes for DWI. At the State Police barracks in Tarrytown, he underwent a chemical test, revealing a blood alcohol content of 0.15%, nearly twice the legal limit.
Garcia-Cortes was processed without incident and issued traffic tickets. He is scheduled to appear in the Village of Sloatsburg Court on January 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Leandra’s Law, enacted in 2009, makes it an automatic felony to drive drunk with a child age 15 or younger in the vehicle. Convictions carry severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
The New York State Police remind drivers to avoid impaired driving, emphasizing the heightened dangers and legal consequences when children are involved.