A 35-year-old East Patchogue woman accused of driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs after mistakenly taking another person’s vehicle from a Patchogue parking lot pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance, court records show.
Ariel Salgado was arrested early Saturday, Aug. 1, after Suffolk County deputy sheriffs spotted a gray 2020 vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Waverly Avenue in Patchogue at about 2:50 a.m., according to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the vehicle was also traveling on the shoulder and failing to stay within its lane.
During a traffic stop, Salgado allegedly had slurred speech, showed signs of impairment and had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath, sheriff’s officials said. She allegedly performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
The investigation then took an unusual turn.
Deputies learned that the vehicle Salgado was driving had been reported stolen. Investigators ultimately determined that she had mistakenly gotten into another person’s vehicle after leaving a nearby bar, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said Salgado’s own vehicle was the same make and model, a similar color and parked nearby. The owner of the other vehicle had inadvertently left the key fob inside.
Once investigators determined what happened, the vehicle was returned to its owner. The owner declined to pursue criminal charges related to the vehicle being taken, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Court records show Salgado was charged with driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs and alcohol. She also faces traffic infractions for failing to use a designated lane, driving on the shoulder, imprudent speed and speeding in a posted zone.
Salgado was arraigned Aug. 1 in Suffolk First District Court before Judge Alonzo G. Jacobs. She pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance, according to court records.
“Our Deputy Sheriffs remain vigilant in identifying and removing impaired drivers from our roadways before they can cause serious harm,” Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said. “This incident also serves as a reminder to never leave your keys or key fob inside your vehicle, even for a short time.”
Salgado is scheduled to return to Suffolk First District Court on Aug. 21 before Judge James F. Leonick.
She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo: Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office
