People v. Dondorfer

Summary

The Court held that the term “impaired” in Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192(4‑a) must be interpreted consistently with the definition given in People v Cruz, meaning any actual impairment of physical and mental abilities, and therefore affirmed the Appellate Division’s order reinstating the aggravated driving‑while‑ability‑impaired charge. The decision rejected the Third Department’s Caden N. construction and emphasized statutory consistency and legislative intent.