A bad idea turned worse Monday night for a 35-year-old Marilla mother who took two teens on a joy ride but then allowed a 15-year-old family friend to drive her car because she was too drunk, authorities reported.
With the underaged driver at the wheel, Erie County sheriff’s officials said, the vehicle rolled over on Williston Road in the Town of Marilla. The incident left the mother with a fractured right shoulder, arm injuries and two misdemeanor charges.
Amy Cavallaro, of Bush Gardens, Marilla, told deputies she wanted to take a 14-year-old relative and his friend on a “joy ride” Monday night before realizing she was too intoxicated to drive, officials said. That’s when she allowed the older teen to drive the vehicle, leading to the rollover.
Cavallaro was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center after the incident, which occurred at about 10 p.m. Monday. The juveniles also were taken to ECMC, but authorities said they suffered no injuries.
“Alcohol does not enhance performance, except maybe for your ability to make bad decisions,” Sheriff Timothy B. Howard said Tuesday. “That’s the point about alcohol. People drink and make bad decisions. Luckily, the outcome wasn’t worse.”
Deputies John Szczepanski and Richard O’Neil charged Cavallaro with second-degree reckless endangerment and acting in a manner injurious to a child, both misdemeanors, according to reports. She also was ticketed for permitting unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and three seat-belt violations.
However, Cavallaro has not been charged with driving while intoxicated, authorities said. Howard said he would like to do research on similar cases and determine whether state law needs to be amended to close any possible loophole.
“She was the cause of that vehicle being operated illegally,” the sheriff added. “She shouldn’t be able to dodge DWI prosecution.”
The deputies also contacted Child Protective Services about the incident.
email: gwarner@buffnews.com
With the underaged driver at the wheel, Erie County sheriff’s officials said, the vehicle rolled over on Williston Road in the Town of Marilla. The incident left the mother with a fractured right shoulder, arm injuries and two misdemeanor charges.
Amy Cavallaro, of Bush Gardens, Marilla, told deputies she wanted to take a 14-year-old relative and his friend on a “joy ride” Monday night before realizing she was too intoxicated to drive, officials said. That’s when she allowed the older teen to drive the vehicle, leading to the rollover.
Cavallaro was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center after the incident, which occurred at about 10 p.m. Monday. The juveniles also were taken to ECMC, but authorities said they suffered no injuries.
“Alcohol does not enhance performance, except maybe for your ability to make bad decisions,” Sheriff Timothy B. Howard said Tuesday. “That’s the point about alcohol. People drink and make bad decisions. Luckily, the outcome wasn’t worse.”
Deputies John Szczepanski and Richard O’Neil charged Cavallaro with second-degree reckless endangerment and acting in a manner injurious to a child, both misdemeanors, according to reports. She also was ticketed for permitting unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and three seat-belt violations.
However, Cavallaro has not been charged with driving while intoxicated, authorities said. Howard said he would like to do research on similar cases and determine whether state law needs to be amended to close any possible loophole.
“She was the cause of that vehicle being operated illegally,” the sheriff added. “She shouldn’t be able to dodge DWI prosecution.”
The deputies also contacted Child Protective Services about the incident.
email: gwarner@buffnews.com