Rep. Maurice Hinchey, a 10-term upstate Democrat, thought that news of his retirement would be the big Hinchey story of the week. But his wife, a state lobbyist, was arrested for not only driving while intoxicated—she was also hit with a texting-while-driving charge. Allison Lee-Hinchley reportedly admitted to cops that she was texting when she got into a car crash in Albany on Wednesday.
Lee-Hinchey, 49, had been driving a 2010 BMW when she hit a 2002 Nissan. Neither Lee-Hinchey or the Nissan's driver, a 34-year-old woman, were injured. The Times Union reports, "Asked if she had been drinking alcohol, she allegedly said, 'I had a glass of wine' at a work function. She told the officer she was headed home... One hour and 12 minutes after the crash, Hinchey registered a blood alcohol level of 0.14 percent — nearly twice the threshold of the state's .08 percent limit for driving while intoxicated, police said."
Cops also said she smelled of alcohol and had glassy eyes; plus she failed four field sobriety tests. Lee-Hinchey, who is the principal lobbyist of Albany-based DKC Government Affairs, said, "I am committed to addressing this both legally and personally. I am deeply sorry and apologize to my colleagues and friends."
