Dix Hills Woman Arrested for Leandra’s Law Following Crash

On Saturday, October 31, 2015, Suffolk County Police arrested a Dix Hills woman for driving under the influence of alcohol with her child in her vehicle following a motor vehicle crash.

Cristi Rivas was driving a 2007 Mercedes Benz GL450 southbound on Straight Path and Burrs Lane in Wheatley Heights when her vehicle rear-ended a 2013 Honda Odyssey, driven by Khizar Kharam, at approximately 6 p.m.

Rivas’ son, age 3, was in the vehicle and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip for evaluation but did not appear injured. Kharam, 63, and Rivas, 38, were both transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries.

Rivas, of Deer Park Road, Dix Hills was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger 15 Years Old or Younger (Leandra’s Law), Driving While Intoxicated and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  She is scheduled to be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.

The child was released to a family member.

The vehicle was impounded and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152.