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Cops charge Wading River woman under Leandra’s Law for driving high

A Wading River woman accused of driving high with her 12-year-old son in the car was arrested Monday and charged with a felony under Leandra’s law after an off-duty Riverhead Police officer spotted her driving erratically and notified authorities, according to police.

The off-duty police officer saw 51-year-old Mary McKenna, who lives at the Wading River Motel, driving erratically on Fresh Pond Avenue in Calverton about 5:30 p.m., officials said. He reported the incident to police, who soon stopped Ms. McKenna while she traveling westbound on Route 25 in a 1996 Chevrolet, just near the motel, police said. Officers soon determined that she was driving under the influence of drugs, officials said.

Ms. McKenna was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving while ability impaired by drugs with a child in the car, a Class “E” felony under Leandra’s Law and endangering the welfare of a child. She was taken to police headquarters and held overnight for an appearance in town justice court. The boy was turned over to his father.

Leandra’s Law is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed in an October 2009 car crash on the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan, during which an adult woman was reportedly drunk at the wheel.

Under the law it is a felony to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol with a minor in the car, even for a first offense.