(WNY News Now) – A Lockport woman faces felony DWI charges under Leandra’s Law after reportedly driving intoxicated with a child in the vehicle late Tuesday night.
Lockport, NY – On October 29, 2024, around 11:46 p.m., a concerned driver alerted Deputy M. Brant of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office to a reckless driver near the Speedway on South Transit Road in Lockport. The witness reported nearly being struck by a vehicle, providing a description and license plate number to Deputy Brant, who was already on-site conducting a follow-up investigation.
Upon locating the vehicle northbound on South Transit Road, Deputy Brant observed multiple traffic infractions before initiating a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Latasha N. Porter of Lockport, was found to be operating the vehicle while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol content reportedly above .18%, accompanied by her 8-year-old daughter. Due to the severity of the situation, Porter’s actions triggered a felony charge under Leandra’s Law, which applies to DWI cases involving child passengers.
The child was safely transferred to the custody of her grandmother following the incident, while Porter’s vehicle was impounded. Additional charges included endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, and multiple traffic violations. Porter was subsequently taken to Niagara County Correctional Facility and is awaiting arraignment. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.