A Western New York man was arrested for allegedly driving with Blood Alcohol Content over three times the legal limit.  Troopers with the New York State Police received a report about a vehicle driving erratically on I-90 in the Town of Lancaster around 10:45 pm on Monday, August 1, 2022. Troopers pulled the vehicle over after observing it violating several traffic laws.

The driver, 44-year-old Charles E. Voorhees of Cheektowaga, was intoxicated, according to police. He was arrested and taken to the State Police Precinct in Buffalo where he was processed. Troopers determined his B.A.C. to be .30. The legal limit in New York is under .08 percent. Voorhees was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. He was released to the custody of a third party.

He is due back in Lancaster Court today, August 4, at 5:30 pm.

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Here's How Much Money A DWI Will Cost You In New York State

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are pretty harsh in New York, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are several types of violations when it comes to driving while intoxicated,

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
.08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or higher or other evidence of intoxication. For drivers of commercial motor vehicles: .04 BAC or other evidence of intoxication.

 

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Aggravated DWI)
.18 BAC or higher

 

Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol)
More than .05 BAC but less than .07 BAC, or other evidence of impairment.

 

Driving While Ability Impaired by a Single Drug other than Alcohol (DWAI/Drug)

 

Driving While Ability Impaired by a Combined Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (DWAI/Combination)

 

Chemical Test Refusal
A driver who refuses to take a chemical test (normally a test of breath, blood or urine).

 

Zero Tolerance Law
A driver who is less than 21 years of age and who drives with a .02 BAC to .07 BAC violates the Zero Tolerance Law.

Driving under the influence could cost you up to $10,000 in fines, not to mention lawyer fees. You could also spend up to 7 years in prison (excluding any vehicular manslaughter charges).

According to Attorney Steven Bilkis, when it comes to vehicular manslaughter while under the influence,

The New York criminal code defines three different types of criminal offenses related to killing someone as a result of driving while intoxicated: vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the first degree and aggravated vehicular homicide.

Depending on the degree of vehicular manslaughter you are charged with, you could spend up to 15 years in prison and have your license suspended and revoked. Keep in mind, that there are also other penalties and fees they can throw at you.

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