Fearful passenger jumps from car of alleged drunk driver

Long Beach woman arrested for DWI after slamming into cars in Baldwin

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A woman in fear for her life jumped out of a car operated by an alleged drunk driver who slammed into a string of parked cars in Baldwin early Sunday.

Nassau County police arrested the driver, 49-year-old Long Beach resident Madeline Banegas, shortly after the incident at 5:25 a.m.

According to police, Banegas was driving her 2017 gray Nissan Rogue with a 24-year-old female passenger and struck numerous parked cars on Cherrywood Drive and Milburn Avenue.

“The victim, in fear of her safety, jumped from the car and contacted police,” NCPD said in a news release.

Police located Banegas in front of 1034 Northern Blvd. and conducted traffic stop.

“Subsequent to the investigation, officers arrested the defendant without incident,” police said.

No injuries were reported. Banegas was charged with DWI, second-degree reckless endangerment and seven counts of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

She was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Monday.