Police: Farmingville Woman on Drugs Drove Wrong Way With Child in Car

A Farmingville woman was arrested Monday morning and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs after she drove on the wrong side of the Long Island Expressway service road with her 11-year-old nephew in the car, police said. 

Police said that Karen Kregel's 2004 Honda Accord was seen traveling westbound in the eastbound lane in Medford around 11:18 a.m. The vehicle made a U-turn, causing another vehicle to swerve to avoid an accident, police said.

When police stopped the vehicle the officer determined that Kregel, 44, was impaired by drugs. Police would not say what kind of drugs Kregel had taken. Kregel's nephew was not injured and released to family.

Kregel is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child under age 16,  a felony under Leandra’s Law, and endangering the welfare of a child, among other state vehicle and trafflic law violations.

Kregel will face arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday.