Fishkill Man Arrested for DWI with Children in Vehicle Under Leandra’s Law
WAPPINGER, NYÂ – A 49-year-old Fishkill man was arrested on July 4th for driving while intoxicated with two young children in his vehicle, triggering felony charges under New York’s Leandra’s Law.
Incident Details
At approximately 11:10 p.m. on July 4, 2025, a New York State Police Trooper from the Wappinger barracks conducted a traffic stop on a Honda CR-V traveling southbound on Route 9 in the Village of Wappinger. The vehicle was stopped for multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
The driver, identified as Moises Centeno Vargas, age 49, of Fishkill, NY, exhibited clear signs of intoxication during the traffic stop. After failing standardized field sobriety tests, further investigation revealed that two children, ages 8 and 10, were passengers in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Blood Alcohol Results
Vargas was arrested and transported to the State Police Wappinger barracks for processing. During booking, he provided a breath sample that registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.14% – nearly double the legal limit of 0.08%.
Child Safety Measures
The two children present in the vehicle were safely released to a sober third party, ensuring their wellbeing following the incident.
Criminal Charges
Vargas faces the following charges:
• Aggravated DWI (Leandra’s Law): With a Child Passenger Under 16 – Class E Felony
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – First Offense
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or Higher – First Offense
• Multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law Violations
About Leandra’s Law
Leandra’s Law, enacted in New York in 2009, makes it a felony to drive intoxicated with a child passenger under the age of 16. The law was named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed in a drunk driving crash. This legislation significantly increases penalties for DWI offenses when children are endangered.
Court Appearance
Vargas was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Village of Wappinger Court on August 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
