EHTPD: Drunken Driving Charges For Two

Two town residents who graduated from East Hampton High School in recent years found themselves under arrest this past weekend, charged by town police with driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor. Both were arrested just blocks from their homes.

Police said Paloma Tavera, 23, of Springs, was found passed out behind the wheel of a 2014 Jeep at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Norfolk Street a little before 7 AM Saturday, October 20. According to the police, after being awakened, she appeared to be drunk. Under arrest, Tavera refused to take a breath test at headquarters.

Cory Pawlukojc, 25, an East Hampton resident, was driving a 2013 Ford on Springs Fireplace Road just north of North Main Street when he allegedly swerved several times across the double yellow line into the oncoming lane of traffic just before midnight Saturday, leading to a traffic stop and his arrest on the DWI charge. He, too, refused to take the breath test at headquarters.

Carl Irace represented both during their weekend arraignments in East Hampton Town Justice Court in front of Justice Lisa Rana. On Saturday he argued that Tavera has strong ties to the community, and should be released without bail, making the same argument for Pawlukojc Sunday morning. Justice Rana agreed, freeing both, but only after suspending their licenses, potentially for the next year, pending an administrative hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles October 31.

t.e@indyeastend.com