Wrong-Way Long Island Expressway Driver Charged With DWI

A driver was allegedly intoxicated when he entered the Long Island Expressway and proceeded to drive the wrong way on the roadway before being busted by an officer on patrol, police said.

A wrong-way driver was allegedly drunk when he attempted to enter exit 51 on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills
Photo Credit: *Google Maps street view*

Zak Failla

09/13/2021 10:30 a.m.

Suffolk County PD officer Weldon Drayton was driving westbound on the LIE near exit 51 in Dix Hills at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, when he saw a 2010 Mazda MZ6 driving toward the Expressway from the wrong direction on the off-ramp, according to police.

Police said that the officer was able to initiate a traffic stop as the Mazda entered the LIE traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes, and during the subsequent stop, it was determined that the driver was allegedly intoxicated.

Luis Mendoza, age 34, of Huntington was arrested without incident and charged with driving while intoxicated.

He was held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday, Sept. 13.

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