Man Arrested for Aggravated DWI with Child in Vehicle; Child’s Father Flees Scene

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man for driving under the influence of drugs with a four-year-old child in the vehicle - child’s father arrested after fleeing from the scene.

While on routine patrol, a Fourth Precinct Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) officer observed a 1995 Lincoln sedan cross over the center divider line on Route 25, east of Southern Boulevard, in Smithtown at 11:40 a.m.  When the officer pulled the driver of the vehicle over, the passenger, Paul Lucente, 30, of Kings Park, fled the scene, leaving his four-year-old child in the backseat.  Further investigation revealed that the driver, Benjamin Laudonio, 26, of Stony Brook, was under the influence of drugs.

Benjamin LaudonioLaudonio, was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs, Aggravated DWI with a Child Less Than 16 Years Old (a Felony under Leandra’s Law), Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3^rd Degree, One Count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree.

Lucente was located a short time later and arrested.  Fourth Precinct detectivesPaul Lucente charged Lucente with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Fourth Squad detectives are continuing the investigation.  Anyone who has information is asked to call detectives at the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.