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Woman Caught Driving Drunk With Granddaughter On Long Island

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A woman was arrested in Suffolk County early Saturday, after being caught driving while intoxicated with her 7-year-old granddaughter in the car.

Suffolk County Highway Patrol Officer Jeffrey Pitkiewicz found the driver of a 2013 Chevrolet traveling at a high speed and making erratic lane changes on eastbound Sunrise Highway in Patchogue shortly before 3:30 a.m., police said.

Pitkiewicz pulled over the driver, who initially gave her daughter's name and did not provide a driver's license, police said. The 7-year-old was also spotted in the car.

Woman Caught Driving Drunk With Granddaughter On Long Island

Carter stands accused "not only false identification, but actually impersonating another person-- which wound up being her daughter," said Suffolk County police Sgt. Alan Feinstein.

Police arrested the woman, and later identified her as Wanda Carter, 42, who is currently homeless. She had 28 suspensions on her license and two warrants for her arrest, police said.

Carter was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child 15 years old or younger – a felony under Leandra's Law – as well as endangering the welfare of a child, forgery, criminal impersonation, and aggravated unlicensed operation.

The vehicle Carter was driving was impounded, police said. She was to appear in First District Court in Central Islip for an initial hearing on Sunday.

Carter was supposed to be babysitting at the time, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

The child was not injured.

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