Drunk Woman Nearly Hits Parent in front of Elementary School

Niagara Falls Police were en route to a call on Hyde Park Boulevard around 4pm on September 2nd for a possible drunk driver. While en route, the caller gave a description and NYS license plate reporting that it had just left and was traveling southbound on Hyde Park Boulevard.

While responding to the area, officers observed the vehicle and began traveling behind it. During that time, officers watched the vehicle unable to stay in the lane and almost hit a pedestrian - likely a parent due to the time of day and school being in session - in front of Hyde Park Elementary School.

Officers activated lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled into the Tim Hortons parking lot at which time they spoke with the driver and sole occupant Cheryl Hodge.

Officers immediately smelled the heavy odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from inside the vehicle. While speaking with Hodge, she was having difficulty remembering where she was coming from and reported she was going home, although she passed her street by a few blocks already.

At this point, Hodge was asked if she had consumed any alcohol to which she stated, “I had a couple . . . .”

Officers asked if she had any injuries, had taken any medications or had any issues at which point she reported she had “vodka.”

Officers then administered standardized field sobriety testing to Hodge. She failed all tests.

Officers then administered a preliminary breath test to Hodge and she voluntarily submitted a sample of .205 BAC.

Hodge was placed into custody and placed in the rear of a patrol vehicle.

Her vehicle was searched for any intoxicants and an open bottle of Pinnacle Vodka was located on the front driver’s door, in immediately reach of where Hodge was sitting.

Hodge was transported to police headquarters for booking and processing. At booking, a certified chemical breath test operator administered an official test to Hodge at which point she submitted a .23 BAC.

Hodge was released with an appearance ticket.

Drunk Woman Nearly Hits Parent in front of Elementary School