Teen DWI arrests increasing on Long Island: 'Kids are partying more and starting earlier'
LONG ISLAND, New York (WABC) -- Experts are sounding the alarm about the increase in the number of teen drivers arrested for drunk driving on Long Island.
"All the wonderful things are all gone like that--in an instant you make a decision that takes someone else's life," Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.
Suffolk County is seeing a massive surge in underage DWI arrests: a 110% increase from 2023 to 2025.
Over in Nassau, there has been a 13% increase from 2024 to 2025, according to newly released data from both police departments.
"We are seeing an increase," Ryder said. "Kids are partying more and starting earlier."
Some of those DWI crashes have turned deadly.
"You saw what happened to Officer Patricia Espinosa," Ryder said. "She was killed because someone was stupid enough to get behind the wheel drunk."
A 20-year-old alleged drunk driver struck Espinosa while she was on her way to work last month.
Espinosa's death is renewing attention on the dangers of drunk driving. That's why experts say prevention is critical.
"The key is delaying experimentation as long as possible," Dr. Jared Pachter, the addiction medicine fellowship director at Stony Brook Medicine, said.
Pachter said that car accidents are the biggest risk with young people and alcohol use.
"I was 19 at a family party and I was drinking everyone's drinks off the table and I did not stop," Briyenna Souter said.
Souter said she started drinking as a teenager and quickly became addicted to alcohol.
"I wanted to live that teenage life, and I went full steam ahead," Souter said.
Nearly a decade later, Souter began her recovery at The Family and Children's Association where she works as an outreach coordinator helping others.
She said what she's seeing now is alarming---kids are starting to drink younger and younger.
"If you're drinking underage or even above age, people are there to help you through the process of being recovered," Souter said.
Officials warn that the dangers are real---alcohol kills more people a year than fentanyl, according to Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds.
"We need to make sure young people are having these conversations and getting the care they need," Reynolds said. "There is hope we can reverse this trend."
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