High bail, detainer warrant on Ossining DWI suspect from Mahopac

By Shawn Cohen and Leslie Korngold • spcohen@lohud.com • November 24, 2009

OSSINING — A 24-year-old Mahopac man accused of driving severely drunk with his 5-month-old son unrestrained in the back seat could be charged with felony-level drunken driving under a new state law, authorities said today during the man’s court appearance.


Paul Amay, whose blood-alcohol level measured .29 percent — more than three times the legal limit — when he was pulled over Saturday, has already been charged with misdemeanor DWI and child endangerment, said Ossining village Detective Lt. William Sullivan

The DWI charge against Amay, of 34 Agor Lane, could be upgraded to a felony based on the Westchester County District Attorney Office’s review of the case. Last week, Gov. David Paterson signed the Child Passenger Protection Act, called Leandra’s Law, which makes it a felony for people to drive drunk or drugged with children under age 15 in the car.

Amay was pulled over shortly after noon at the intersection of Croton and Clinton avenues after a motorist called 911 to report a vehicle traveling erratically. The car had a punctured tire, Sullivan said. Drivers are required to secure young children in safety seats.

Amay was sent today on $50,000 bail to the Westchester County jail in Valhalla and a federal detainer was placed on him to review his immigration status. He is due back in Village Court on Tuesday.

The baby is staying with his mother and grandparents.

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