Riverhead Man Arrested on DWI Charges with Two Children

Riverhead Town Police arrested a local man on New Year’s Day after stopping a pickup truck in central Riverhead and finding two young passengers inside. Officers pulled over a 2021 Toyota Tundra at about 12:28 a.m. on Jan. 1 at the intersection of Main Road and Linda Avenue. The operator, identified as Jose Torres, 53, of Riverhead, was taken into custody following an investigation.

Torres was charged with Driving While Intoxicated in violation of Leandra’s Law and with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Two child passengers, ages 5 and 8, were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Police reported Torres was being held for arraignment.

Leandra’s Law elevates a DWI to an automatic felony when the defendant is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger under 16 years old. That elevation brings more serious criminal exposure than a typical misdemeanor DWI and can affect pretrial custody, bail considerations, and sentencing if convicted.

The stop underscores persistent public safety concerns for Riverhead and Suffolk County, particularly during holiday hours when impaired driving incidents frequently rise. When children are involved, the legal and community stakes increase: beyond criminal penalties, cases trigger attention from child welfare authorities and prompt broader community discussion about safe transport and parental responsibility.

For local residents, the immediate impacts are practical and legal. The defendant’s detention pending arraignment means court proceedings will follow, and families who travel with children should be aware that transporting minors while impaired can result in felony charges under state law. The arrests also remind caregivers to ensure children are properly restrained and to arrange sober transportation during late-night hours.

Riverhead Town Police did not report any injuries to the child passengers in the initial notice. The department’s actions reflect routine enforcement of impaired driving laws and a heightened response when minors are present. As the case moves through arraignment and any subsequent hearings, local courts will determine pretrial conditions and whether prosecutors pursue the felony counts under Leandra’s Law.