Woman sentenced to state prison for DWI with kids in car

ALBION A Rochester woman was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison today for driving while intoxicated with two children, both age 4, in the back seat.

Kizzie E. Ford, 29, was charged with DWI on Sept. 13 in the village of Albion. She was stopped by police after she nearly struck an unmarked Albion police patrol car. She faced charges of felony DWI, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, two counts of aggravated DWI (Leandra’s Law), two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of improper child restraint devices and improper right turn.

Ford was operating the vehicle with her two 4-year-old children in the rear seat without child restraint seats. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch sentenced Ford today, calling her actions “an appalling crime.”

In another DWI case, Julie M. Makowski, 50, of Rochester pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in Albion on March 31. She will be sentenced Dec. 9 and faces 1 to 3 years in state prison.

Makowski was charged with felony DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, speeding and inadequate headlights. She has a prior DWI and prior charge of driving while ability impaired.

Makowski admitted in court today she had been drinking prior to driving. She took a breath test two hours after being arrested on March 31 and registered a 0.15 blood alcohol content, nearly double the legal limit for driving drunk.