12 Kids, Adults Crammed in Too-Small Car Stopped on Route 17

A Johnson City woman received several tickets after a state trooper pulled over a vehicle filled with a dozen passengers, including several unrestrained children.

Authorities say 26-year-old Haylery Rodriguez was stopped on Route 17 in the town of Owego Friday after someone spotted the overloaded car leaving Tioga Downs Casino Resort. The caller was concerned that several children in the vehicle were not restrained in car seats.

According to New York State Police, the trooper discovered 12 people in the vehicle that was designed to safely seat only seven.

Among the passengers were seven children ranging in age from 3 to 11. They were not in child seats or booster seats, nor were they restrained with seat belts.

Rodriguez was driving with a learner's permit and did not have a licensed driver in the vehicle.

Rodriguez was issued a ticket for unlicensed operation. She also received seven improper restraint tickets.

The trooper remained with the vehicle for more than two-and-a-half hours to make sure everyone in the vehicle received a ride from a licensed driver with appropriate safety equipment.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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