Man Arrested on Felony DWI Charge in Denny's Parking Lot: Cops

NORTH BABYLON, NY – A Lindenhurst man was arrested on a felony DWI charge in a Denny's parking lot Sunday night, Suffolk Police said.

According to police, a 911 caller reported seeing an intoxicated man getting behind the wheel of a car with a child in the backseat in the parking lot of the Denny’s located at 1143 Deer Park Ave. in North Babylon at about 10:45 p.m. When First Precinct officers arrived, they found Juan A. Espinal operating a 2013 BMW with his 8-year-old stepson in the back seat, police said.

Espinal was arrested and charged with aggravated DWI with a child passenger 15-years-old or younger (a felony under Leandra’s Law) and endangering the welfare of a child.

The 8-year-old boy was released to a family member.

Espinal was held overnight at the First Precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday.