Police: Drunk Motorist Who Failed To Stay In Lane On Hempstead Turnpike Had 1-Year-Old In Car

While on routine patrol around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, July 4, officers observed Jhon Ordonez Mendoza, of Queens, operating a 2005 Dodge Caravan, according to police.

The vehicle was traveling westbound on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont and swerved back and forth between lanes without signaling, police said.

The officers engaged their emergency lights and initiated a car stop near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Wellington Road. 

During the investigation, it was discovered that Mendoza emitted the odor of alcohol on his breath, and had slurred speech and glassy eyes, police said. His 1-year-old son was in the back seat as well as the child’s 22-year-old mother, according to police. The child was released to the mother at the scene. N

Mendoza was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated (child under 16/Leandra’s Law), endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of driving while intoxicated and numerous vehicle traffic law infractions. He was arraigned on Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.

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