THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPELLANT v. JOYCE LEWIS DEFENDANT RESPONDENT (2017)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

It is hereby ORDERED that the oral order so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law, that part of the omnibus motion seeking to suppress evidence is denied, the superior court information is reinstated and the matter is remitted to Ontario County Court for further proceedings thereon.

Memorandum:  The People appeal from an oral order (see generally People v. Elmer, 19 NY3d 501, 507–508) granting that part of defendant's omnibus motion to suppress evidence seized as the fruit of the unlawful stop of defendant's vehicle, and dismissing the superior court information charging defendant with, inter alia, felony aggravated driving while intoxicated (Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 1192[2–a][a];  1193[1][c][i][A] ).  We agree with the People that the stop was based on probable cause and thus that County Court erred in granting that part of defendant's motion seeking suppression.  The arresting deputy testified at the Dunaway hearing that he personally observed defendant's vehicle cross the center line and proceed into the lane for oncoming traffic.  The vehicle remained in that lane for approximately two-tenths of a mile, in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1120(a).  Thus, the deputy, having personally observed the violation, had probable cause to stop the vehicle (see People v. Pealer, 89 AD3d 1504, 1506, affd 20 NY3d 447, cert denied _ U.S. _, 134 S Ct 105, rearg. denied 24 NY3d 993;  People v. Robinson, 97 N.Y.2d 341, 349;  People v. Walker, 128 AD3d 1499, 1500–1501, lv denied 26 NY3d 936).  Once the deputy effectuated the stop, he noticed that defendant's eyes were watery and bloodshot, and he smelled the strong odor of alcohol on her breath.  He conducted a series of field sobriety tests, all of which defendant failed.  Thus, the deputy had probable cause to arrest defendant for driving while intoxicated (see People v. Lewis, 124 AD3d 1389, 1390–1391, lv denied 26 NY3d 931).

Frances E. Cafarell

Clerk of the Court