March 4, 2026
LEAD STORY: D.A.S.H. — The DA Just Put Prosecutors on Westchester's Most Dangerous Highways
DWI arrests on Westchester's highways are up forty-one percent since 2020. Crashes have risen ten percent over five years. And the county's new district attorney just launched an initiative that puts senior prosecutors in the field with state troopers, reviewing cases in real time as drivers are pulled over.
The program is called D.A.S.H., the District Attorney's Safer Highways initiative. It targets two roads: the Sprain Brook Parkway and Interstate 684. Both were selected because they have the highest number of reported incidents in the county. The Sprain has a documented history of fatal crashes. I-684 has seen multiple wrong-way collisions, including a head-on that killed a sixty-four-year-old Mount Kisco resident.
Two senior prosecutors from the DA's office are assigned to the initiative. Their job is to determine in real time whether charges should be escalated beyond a standard traffic violation to criminal prosecution. Reckless endangerment. Vehicular assault. Felony DWI. The goal is not more tickets. It is criminal accountability for the most dangerous drivers on the road.
Results came fast. Seventeen days after launch, a driver with no plates on the Sprain led troopers on a pursuit, turned onto a dead-end road, and rammed a patrol car trying to escape. He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and unlawful fleeing.
Why it matters: DA Cacace's message was direct: slow down or we will slow you down. If you commute on either of these highways, expect a continued state police presence. And if you are driving recklessly, expect more than a ticket.
QUICK HITS
WCA Workforce Development Summit: The Westchester County Association is hosting a workforce development summit on March 19, bringing together leaders in education, government, and business to explore strategies for building the regional workforce pipeline. Registration is open through the WCA's website.
Iona University Launches Summer Program: Iona University announced a new summer program placing students at the intersection of education, industry, and technology. The program is aimed at preparing students for the evolving workplace and will launch this summer with corporate partnerships across the county.
$35 Million for EV Charging Infrastructure: The county is investing thirty-five million dollars in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with an additional fifteen million in local matching funds. The rollout is part of the 2026 capital budget and is expected to significantly expand public charging access across Westchester.
ONE MORE THING
The Sprain Brook Parkway has been one of the most dangerous roads in Westchester for years. If you drive it regularly, you already know. What is the stretch of road in your part of the county that you think needs the most attention? Hit reply and tell us.
Listen to The Westchester Brief daily on all podcast platforms.
Visit: www.iliveheremedia.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @iliveherewestchester
YouTube: Subscribe for the video version
Don't miss an episode. Forward this to a neighbor and ask them to subscribe.