Connecticut man arrested for three counts of DWI Leandra’s law after Thruway traffic stop in Westchester County

On May 10, 2026, New York State Police assigned to SP Tarrytown arrested Gilberto Valdovinos-Gonzalez, 38, of Stamford, Connecticut for three counts of aggravated DWI with a passenger less than 16 (DWI Leandra’s Law).

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on May 10, troopers initiated a traffic stop on a 2016 GMC Yukon eastbound on the New York State Thruway (I-287) in the village of Harrison for vehicle and traffic law violations. Upon interviewing the driver, identified as Valdovinos-Gonzalez, troopers detected signs of impairment and administered standard field sobriety tests, which Valdovinos-Gonzalez failed. Further investigation revealed that three children under the age of 16 were in the vehicle.

Valdovinos-Gonzalez was charged with three counts of DWI Leandra’s Law and issued several tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations. He was released to a sober third party and is due in Harrison Town Court on May 26, 2026.

The New York State Police urge drivers to use the STOP-DWI Have a Plan app to help them get home safely. The free app allows users to contact a taxi service or ride share, program a designated-driver list, or report a suspected impaired driver. The app is available for Apple and Android smart phones.

Leandra's Law (Child Passenger Protection Act) is named after Leandra Rosado, an 11-year-old girl who was killed in a car crash after the driver, who had allegedly been drinking for several hours prior to the crash, lost control of her vehicle on the Henry Hudson Parkway. Leandra's Law, which became effective December 18, 2009, sets some of the toughest DWI provisions in the country.