A man is accused of driving drunk with three juveniles in tow in Nassau County on the Fourth of July.
Rafael Melgar, 50, of Hempstead, was pulled over for a traffic infraction when officers observed he had glassy eyes and an odor of alcohol, according to police.
The incident happened around 7 p.m. Saturday in the vicinity of Ocean Parkway and Wantagh Parkway in Wantagh.
Melgar had 15-year-old, 13-year-old and 5-year-old passengers in his 2009 Honda SUV at the time, Nassau police say.
A field sobriety test was conducted, and the driver was placed under arrest without incident.
The children were safely released into the custody of a family member.
Melgar pleaded not guilty at his arraignment to charges of aggravated DWI under Leandra’s Law, endangering the welfare of a child and multiple vehicle and traffic law infractions.
His license was suspended pending prosecution.