Leandra's Law takes effect

State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican from Merrick, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat from Long Beach, and Lenny Rosado were joined at a news conference last week by state and local officials to remind Long Islanders that Leandra's Law took effect on Friday, making drunken driving with a child a felony offense in New York.

The news conference took place at SUNY Farmingdale. Rosado, father of the late Leandra for whom the law is named, grew emotional as he discussed the loss of his 11-year-old daughter to a drunken driver this summer. "She was my heart and my soul," he said. "I knew my daughter wanted me to fight because my daughter didn't like bullies."

Under Leandra's Law, people who drive drunk with children in their cars will face up to four years in prison. Offenders will also be required to install ignition interlock systems in their cars. An ignition interlock is a mechanical device that analyzes a driver's breath for blood alcohol content and prevents a vehicle from starting if a driver is drunk.

"We just witnessed the bloodiest summer ever of my lifetime," Fuschillo said, referring to the drunken-driving crash on the Henry Hudson Parkway this summer that killed Leandra Rosado, as well as to a crash on the Taconic State Parkway that resulted in eight fatalities when Long Islander Diane Schuler drove against traffic while allegedly drunk and under the influence of marijuana.

"It's not just the loss of a child. It's the loss and the devastation of an entire family," Weisenberg said of drunken-driving accidents that claim children's lives. "We have a society where it's socially agreeable and acceptable for people to be able to drink and drive. This law is going to save lives."

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice has also been an outspoken supporter of Leandra's law. Speaking on behalf of the District Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney Maureen McCormick said, "We will be prosecuting these offenses to the fullest extent. And we know, we know, that every day is a difficult day for you, the victims of these tragedies, but at this particular time of year, it's especially difficult."