Man Drove Drunk With 2 Boys, 14, In Van: Cops

AMAGANSETT, NY — An Amagansett man was arrested after he was caught driving while intoxicated with two 14-year old males in the van, police said.

According to East Hampton Town Police, Ronald A. Merrill, 56, was arrested on May 11 at 3:05 p.m. on Old Stone Highway near Alberts Landing Road in Amagansett after he was seen driving a 2002 Ford van 45 miles per hour in a duly posted 30 mph zone.

Upon investigation, there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his speech was slurred, he was unsteady on his feet, and he refused "any and all standard field sobriety tests," police said.

He was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with .08 of 1% or more alcohol, prior conviction of designated offense within 10 years, a felony; as well as DWI, previous conviction of designated offense within 10 years, a felony, police said.

In addition, he was charged with aggravated DWI with a child-passenger less than 16, first offense, a felony; and two counts of acting in a manner injure child less than 17, a misdemeanor, police said.

One 14-year old male was sitting in the front passenger seat and another 14-year old male was sitting on an overturned bucket in the rear of the van, police said.

Bail was set at $2,500, police said.