Woman Crashed While Drunk With Child, 12, In Car In Smithtown: PD

SMITHTOWN, NY — A woman was arrested Tuesday after Suffolk police said she drove while drunk with her 12-year-old child in the vehicle and was involved in a crash in Smithtown.

Kristen Vassallo, 48, of Smithtown, was driving a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas southbound on New York Avenue, when she struck a vehicle parked on New York Avenue at 8:23 p.m., police said. The force of the impact pushed the parked vehicle into another parked vehicle, causing damage, police said.

Fourth Precinct officers arrived and determined Vassallo exhibited signs of intoxication, police said.

Vassallo was charged with driving while intoxicated; aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger 15 years old or younger (Leandra’s Law); endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

There were no injuries, and the child was released to a guardian, police said.

Vassallo was held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District
Court in Central Islip on Wednesday.

The Volkswagen was impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information on the crash was asked to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.