Long Island Woman Driving with Toddler Faces DWI Charge: Police

A Long Island woman faces a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated after she was involved in an accident while her 3-year-old son rode along as a passenger, police said Sunday.

Cristi Rivas was driving a 2007 Mercedes Benz SUV south in Wheatley Heights Saturday evening when she rear-ended a car driven by Khizar Kharam, Suffolk County investigators said.

Rivas, 38, of Dix Hills, and Kharam, 63, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, police said. Rivas' toddler also was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but didn't appear to be injured.

Rivas was charged with aggravated DWI because her passenger was less than 15 years old, a violation of Leandra's Law. She was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Her son was released to a family member, police said.

There was no information as to whether Rivas had a lawyer who could comment on the charges. 

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