Michelle T. Crawford is a woman from Batavia, New York. On December 27, 2009, she became the first person in Western New York charged with Drunk Driving with an enhanced felony DWI under New York State's new Leandra's Law. The incident began when police responded to an address where a dispute had occurred involving a 24 year old female. Following this domestic dispute the female had fled the scene in a vehicle along with three minor children ages 4, 3 and 17 months. The female was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and very agitated at the time of the disturbance. A short time later troopers on patrol observed a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle given on Clinton Street near Two Rod Road in the Town of Marilla. Troopers stopped the vehicle after erratic operation was observed and further investigation led to the arrest of Crawford. Police said they charged Crawford with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and a Class E felony count of DWI, rather than a misdemeanor count, because of “Leandra’s Law,” which took effect Dec. 18. Crawford refused to take a breath test and was later arraigned on the charges before the Town of Marilla Town Justice. Following her arraignment, she was remanded to the Erie County Holding Center in lieu of $25,000 bail. An Erie County grand jury indicted her on aggravated drunken driving with a child, child endangerment and traffic violations. On January 27, 2010, Crawford pleaded not guilty to the charges. She has been in jail since her arrest on Clinton Street in Marilla at about 2 p.m. December 27, 2009.
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