By Scott Sieber
Prosecutors filed a series of charges against the woman and if convicted, Denise Messner, 28, of 148-17 Booth Memorial Ave. in Flushing could face up to seven years in prison.Messner was charged with assault, vehicular assault, criminal mischief, reckless driving, driving under the influence, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving without a license.The police officer, John Walsh, of the NYPD's Highway Unit Three, sustained lacerations and abrasions to the body and head as well as a broken leg that required orthopedic surgery, authorities said.”It is alleged that the defendant was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and that she struck a police vehicle and a New York City police officer who was arresting another motorist for also driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Queens DA Richard Brown. “The defendant's alleged conduct clearly shows that she is a threat to public safety as well as to herself. The case is another example of the terrible consequences that can result from mixing alcohol and operating a motor vehicle.”Messner was driving a 1998 Ford westbound on the Long Island Expressway at 1:20 a.m. on New Year's Day, when she hit Walsh, who was standing outside another vehicle making a drunk driving arrest, authorities said. Walsh's body then hit the 1987 Thunderbird that belonged to the man he was arresting, causing about $250 in damage, according to court records.Walsh's partner, Police Officer John Loukopoulos, then approached Messner, who was still sitting in her car with the keys in the ignition and the engine still running, according to the DA, when he noticed the stench of alcohol, her bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. She did not have a license with her, the DA said.She was arrested and arraigned before Judge Joseph Zayas in Queens Criminal Court the next day.Messner faced a bail of $250,000 because of previous child endangerment and disorderly conduct charges leveled against her Dec. 9, according to a spokeswoman from the DA's office. In that case, a police officer saw Messner swinging her 1-month-old child in an infant carrier around while screaming that she did not want the baby, according to court records.When an officer attempted to control her, Messner took a swing at the officer while still holding the infant carrier, court records show. Reach reporter Scott Sieber by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
