Nov 6, 2009 7:59 pm US/Eastern
Another NY Mom Arrested For DUI With Kids In Car
SOMERS, N.Y. (CBS) ―
-
-
Carolyn Flynn, of Somers, is accused of driving under the influence while her kids were in the car with her.
CBS
It almost seems like an epidemic. Another suburban mother faces charges for drunk driving with kids in the car. The latest arrest happened in northern Westchester County, just a few miles from the scene of last summer's tragedy on the Taconic.
It was not what state police expected to see at 7:30 on a weeknight.
Carolyn Flynn, a mother from Somers, was allegedly behind the wheel with her young son and daughter in the car.
"She was indeed intoxicated, with a BAC of .17 percent, which is more than two-times the legal limit," said Sgt. John Hennigan of New York State Police.
And police say Flynn had a history with alcohol problems, according to an order of protection on file in family court.
"Specifically in that order of protection, it stated that she could not operate a motor vehicle while drinking with her children inside the vehicle," said Hennigan.
In the wake of last summer's deadly tragedy on the Taconic State Parkway, the issue of parents who drive drunk with kids is on the minds of many. It may seem shocking after the Diane Schuler tragedy that any parent would drink and drive with kids in the car. But to people who work with substance abusers, it's not surprising.
"Although these types of cases are occurring throughout the country, we're not learning from other people's mistakes all the time, and that's the tragedy," said Dr. Ray Griffin of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) in Westchester.
At the NCADD, experts say alcohol abuse is an illness that requires treatment. They hope that all these parents arrested in recent times for DUI with children in the car get serious about getting help.
"This may be the teachable moment for that person. And that's the gift, that no one was injured. Hopefully this will open her eyes and she will get the help that she needs," said Joan Bonsignore of the NCADD.
Experts say most drivers arrested for DWI do it 80 times before they are caught.
In addition to DUI, Flynn is charged with child endangerment and contempt of court for violating that order of protection.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments