Father sidewiped cars on Route 20 with toddler in backseat

Nicholas Daskalakis

GUILDERLAND — An Albany man was arrested on Western Avenue on Sept. 2 for Leandra’s Law, a felony, because, police say, he was driving while under the influence of drugs with a minor in the car.

Nicholas Daskalakis, 24, of 217 Hansen Ave., Albany, was driving a white Acura on Western Avenue near Mercycare Lane at approximately 1:19 p.m., when Guilderland Police officers noticed he was swerving into oncoming eastbound traffic, nearly striking several vehicles head-on, according to a press release from the Guilderland Police Department.

The patrol car activated its emergency lights and siren but Daskalakis did not stop his vehicle until he sideswiped another car traveling westbound.

Daskalakis appeared disoriented, according the police report, and had glassy eyes and trouble understanding the officer.

Daskalakis failed field sobriety tests and was transported to the police station where a drug recognition expert performed testing, which he also failed.

His 3-year-old daughter was in the backseat of the car at the time of his arrest, the release said.

Daskalakis was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony, under Leandra’s Law, named for Leandra Rosado, an 11-year-old who was killed in 2009 when her friend’s mother flipped her car while driving drunk.

Leandra’s Law makes it an automatic felony to drive drunk or under the influence of drugs with a person age 15 or younger inside the car.

Daskalakis was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child; operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, first-offense; and reckless driving, all misdemeanors.

He also was charged with eight infractions: failure to obey a police officer, a right-of-way violation, illegal signaling, speeding, following too closely, failure to keep right, failure to stay in a single lane, and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on the highway.

Daskalakis was sent to Albany County’s jail with bail set at $50,000; he is set to appear in Guilderland Town Court on Sept. 10.

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