While on patrol on Express Drive South in Medford, Sixth Precinct Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) Officer Thomas Wilson observed a 2004 Honda Accord traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
The vehicle then made a U-turn, which caused another vehicle to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision.
Officer Wilson stopped the vehicle and determined the driver, Karen Kregel, was impaired by drugs.
Kregel's 11-year-old nephew, who was uninjured, was a passenger in the vehicle and later released to a family member.
Kregel, 44, of Farmingville, was charged by Sixth Squad detectives with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Under the Age of 16, a felony under Leandra's Law, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
Kregel will be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.
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