Police: Brooklyn Man Arrested for Driving Drunk with a Child

Photo: Enrique Matute

On Sunday, the New York State Police arrested a Brooklyn man for driving drunk with a child in his car, which is classified as felony under Leandra’s Law.

At about 9:05 in the morning, the police investigated a car accident on Route 39, west of Shrubland Road, in Southampton. Enrique A. Matute, 47, had failed to yield the right of way while attempting to make a u-turn in his GMC van and was hit by a vehicle traveling eastbound.

The Troopers subsequently investigated and determined that Matute was driving drunk with eight passengers, one of whom was only ten-years-old. Matute, who has had two prior DWI convictions in the last ten years, was charged with aggravated DWI, felony DWI, endangering the welfare of a child and several traffic infractions.

Matute was transported to Southampton police headquarters where he was processed and held for arraignment on July 18.