Daily News: Leandra's State sen. Tom Duane Signs on in Battle vs. Killer Drunken Drivers

By Glenn Blain

October 28, 2009

Leandra's state senator is joining the fight for tougher penalties against drunken drivers who endanger children.

State Sen. Tom Duane, whose Manhattan district includes the home of Henry Hudson Parkway crash victim Leandra Rosado, says he'll support legislation making it a felony to drive drunk with kids in the car.

"There should be consequences for actions that happened when the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs," the Democratic lawmaker said.

Leandra, 11, died in the grisly Oct. 11 crash on the highway when she was thrown from the car driven by a drunken Carmen Huertas of the Bronx.

The death has become a rallying cry for Leandra's father, Lenny Rosado; Gov. Paterson, and lawmakers who joined the Daily News campaign to adopt "Leandra's Law."

Paterson's Child Passenger Protection Act would make it a felony to drive drunk with passengers under age 16.

Duane said he hasn't decided whether to support Paterson's bill or a nearly identical measure introduced by state Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Nassau County).

"I will vote for whatever one comes to the floor," Duane said. Both were unveiled after July's Taconic Parkway crash that killed four kids and four adults.