New York law enforcement authorities have reported that a 73-year-old woman was handed charges of drunk driving on June 7 in connection with an accident involving an unmarked police vehicle. Media reports claim that the woman’s blood alcohol level was .21 percent at the time of the crash. Motorists with blood alcohol levels of .08 percent or higher are considered intoxicated under New York law. The accident took place on April 26 in Wellsville at approximately 4:30 p.m.
According to a police report, an unmarked Chrysler 200 sedan operated by the NYSP struck a Ford Escape SUV as it crossed the intersection of New York State Route 417 and West Madison Street. Police say that the SUV ran a red light in the moments before the crash. Emergency medical personnel were quickly dispatched to the scene, and the drivers of both vehicles were transported to a nearby hospital. Media accounts of the accident did not contain details about the nature of their injuries.
Initial reports of the incident made no mention of impairment, and the woman was taken into custody following a lengthy investigation. She is scheduled to appear in Wellsville Village Court to answer the charges. Blood alcohol levels of .18 percent or higher can lead to enhanced charges under New York law.
The consequences of drunk driving can be severe in New York, and this is especially true when DWI defendants have been involved in accidents. However, prosecutors work under great pressure and are judged on their results, and experienced criminal defense attorneys may urge them to reduce charges in return for a speedy resolution when their clients show genuine remorse and have not been in trouble with the law before.
Source: The Buffalo News, “Wellsville woman faces DWI charge after crash with state police vehicle” , Aaron Besecker, June 7, 2017
