Traffic Complaint Leads to Leandra's Law Arrest, Possibly Saved 15-year-old's Life

A traffic complaint made to the authorities on Sunday, September 1st, 2024, led to the arrest of a woman under Leandra's Law. The Niagara County Sheriff's Office received the complaint and immediately dispatched deputies to investigate.

Deputy Strehlow located the vehicle in question and observed it operating in violation of the NY Vehicle and Traffic Laws. A traffic stop was initiated on the 3700 block of Coomer Road in the Town of Newfane.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were conducted on the driver, identified as 44-year-old Kristi L. McGrew from the Town of Newfane. The tests indicated impairment leading to her arrest. McGrew now faces charges of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated under Leandra's Law, a felony offense. Additionally, she was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a misdemeanor, as well as Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle and several other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

Following her arrest, McGrew was taken to the Niagara County Jail to await Centralized Arraignment proceedings. A parent responded to the scene and took custody of the 15-year-old passenger.

Leandra's Law, also known as the Child Passenger Protection Act, was enacted in New York State to combat drunk driving and protect the lives of young passengers. The law makes it a felony to drive under the influence with a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle.

Traffic Complaint Leads to Leandra's Law Arrest, Possibly Saved 15-year-old's Life