Police say the head of the New York City Ballet has been charged with driving while intoxicated.

Westchester County police say Peter Martins was stopped at a DWI checkpoint in Yonkers shortly before 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day. His blood alcohol level was not immediately available.

Police say Martin was traveling north on the Saw Mill River Parkway. He lives a few miles north in Irvington.

Police say the misdemeanor charge was Martin’s first alleged DWI offense.

Martins issued a statement through a spokesman, saying it was a legal matter and he had been advised not to discuss it.

He joined the ballet company as a principal dancer in 1970. He assumed sole directorship of the company in 1989.