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Drunk 17-Year-Old Drives Into Playground During Carnival In Westchester: Police

An unlicensed 17-year-old faces drunk driving charges after crashing a minivan into a playground during a carnival in Westchester, police said. 

The incident happened at the playground located at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, where the Fireman's Carnival was held.

The incident happened at the playground located at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, where the Fireman's Carnival was held.

Photo Credit: Google Maps/Pixabay via Franz P. Sauerteig

The incident happened on Saturday, July 1 around 11:20 p.m., when officers assigned to the Fireman's Carnival in Mamaroneck at Harbor Island Park saw a minivan recklessly driving in the grassy area next to the event's grounds, according to Village of Mamaroneck Police Lt. Mark Gatta.

Police then ran over to the minivan and ordered it to stop numerous times before it accelerated into a playground at the park, hitting several pieces of playground equipment before coming to a stop. 

Luckily, no one was injured in the crash, Gatta said. 

Once the minivan came to a stop, police took the driver, a 17-year-old Mamaroneck resident, into custody and first had EMS crews take them to a hospital, where they were treated and released. 

The teenager, whose name was not released, was then taken to police headquarters, where they were charged with: 

  • First-degree reckless endangerment;
  • Second-degree criminal mischief;
  • Driving while intoxicated; 
  • Reckless driving;
  • Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle;
  • Refusal to take a breath test.

The juvenile was then arraigned by a youth magistrate before being released on his own recognizance pending a future appearance at the Youth Part of Westchester Superior Court.

The playground that was damaged by the crash was temporarily closed but was reopened on Sunday, July 2 following repair work by the village's Parks Department, Mayor Tom Murphy said. 

"In the future, we will be replacing the damaged equipment and bringing the area back to its former glory," Murphy added. 

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