November 17, 2025
On November 17, 2025, at approximately 12:01 a.m., Troopers assigned to State Police Dover (SP Dover) conducted a traffic stop on a southbound vehicle on State Route 22 in the Town of Dover for violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
During the stop, the operator, identified as Jose D. Melara Melara, 28, of Pawling, NY, displayed signs of intoxication. Further investigation revealed that two children, ages 2 and 9, were in the vehicle at the time of the stop.
Melara was taken into custody and transported to SP Dover for processing. He submitted to a chemical breath test, which resulted in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10%. The children were safely released to a sober third party.
Following the investigation, Melara was charged with:
• Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger Less than 16 (Leandra’s Law) – Class E Felony
• Driving While Intoxicated – Unclassified Misdemeanor
• Vehicle and Traffic Law Violations
Melara was issued traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Dover Court on December 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Contact Troop K Public Information Officer: Trooper Krystal P. Paolicelli
Troop K Commander:
Major Brian T. Ferrone