Teen accused of driving drunk after party, striking 80-year-old pedestrian on Long Island
BOHEMIA, Long Island (WABC) -- A teenager is accused of driving drunk after leaving a sleepover and hitting a pedestrian with her car before taking off and causing a second crash.
Officials say Christina Burns, 17, slept over at a home on Ashford Drive after attending a house party on Saturday night.
In a court appearance Monday, prosecutors said the teen allegedly admitted that she consumed "five sparkling seltzers" at the party in the hours leading up to her arrest -- but police suspect she had more than five drinks.
The first incident was reported just before 7 a.m. on Sunday morning on Ashford Drive.
Police say Burns left the house at 6:50 a.m. and was allegedly still under the influence. She barely made it two blocks when her car left the road, struck a mailbox and drove across a lawn before striking a pedestrian who was walking on Ashford Drive.
The 80-year-old pedestrian, identified as Che Yeung, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Burns is accused of leaving the scene in her car.
About half an hour later, police say she was involved in a second crash at the intersection of Route 347 and Route 25 in Nesconset.
After she was linked to both crashes, authorities charged Burns with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident with serious physical injury.
Prosecutors say she consented to a field sobriety test and her blood was later drawn for toxicology.
Burns was ordered to be held on $30,000 bond and was expected to be released later Monday afternoon. She said nothing in court.
Her attorney, James Pacarella, told reporters that she is "a good kid and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty."
Burns' uncle, Francis Rogalle, 50, was charged with violating Suffolk County's social host law and was issued a desk appearance ticket. He faces a $500 fine for a first offense.
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