SHARE

Orange County Motorist Blocking Exit Ramp Was Driving Impaired, Police Say

With local and state police agencies cracking down on drunk, drugged and distracted driving, several local residents were among nearly two dozen in the area who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

New York State Police.

New York State Police.

Photo Credit: File

As part of the STOP-DWI crackdown, State Police troopers busted several motorists for driving while intoxicated as they attempt to stop motorists from drinking and driving in the area.

Police said that during the enforcement, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers must also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel on New York roadways.

According to officials, troopers have been using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

In total, 27 motorists were arrested. Local residents charged include:

Westchester

  • On Friday, July 20, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Timothy F. Knowlton, age 63, of Cortlandt, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 9 in the town of Cortlandt, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Conor J. Gilmartin Donohue, age 29, of White Plains, for DWI. He was traveling on the Sprain Book Parkway in the town of Greenburgh, when he was involved in a motor vehicle property damage collision. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Christopher J. Platt, age 60, of Peekskill, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 9 in the town of Cortlandt, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Jillian F. Cohen, age 28, of Cortlandt, for Aggravated DWI. She was traveling on 6th Street in the town of Cortlandt, when she left the roadway and struck a house. Investigation revealed that she was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Ryan P. Mcnally, age 35, of Peekskill, for Aggravated DWI. He was traveling on East Main Street in the town of Cortlandt, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Walter E. Brito, age 54, of Cortlandt, for Aggravated DWI with one prior conviction. He was traveling on Highland Avenue in the city of Peekskill, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Braulio I. Flores, age 41, of Yorktown, for DWI. He was traveling on the Taconic State Parkway in the town of Mount Pleasant, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Edisson R. Pillacela Matailo, age 23, of White Plains, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 9 in the village of Croton on Hudson, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Mario R. Ardon, age 22, of Ossining, for DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree, an unclassified misdemeanor. He was traveling on State Route 9 in the village of Ossining, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.

Putnam 

  • On Friday, July 20, State Police from Somers arrested Bonnie R. Lamy, age 56, of Putnam Valley, for Aggravated DWI. She was found parked in the roadway on State Route 35 in the town of Cortlandt. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Friday, July 20, State Police from Hawthorne arrested Deyanira Estrella, age 43, of Carmel, for DWI. She was traveling on the Sprain Brook Parkway in the city of Yonkers, when she experienced an unknown problem and her vehicle became engulfed in flames. Investigation revealed that she was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from East Fishkill arrested Karun K. Sharma, age 30, of Carmel,, for DWI. He was traveling on Interstate 84 in the town of Patterson, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Bairon R. Vasquez, age 27, of Patterson, for DWI, Resisting Arrest, and Obstruction of Governmental Administration, all misdemeanors. He was traveling on North Highland Avenue in the village of Ossining, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested after initially resisting.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Somers arrested Ricardo A. Romero, age 23, of Carmel, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 202 in the town of Somers, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Brewster arrested Kevin T. Bell, age 24, of Southeast, for DWI. He was traveling on Putnam Avenue in the town of Southeast, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.

Dutchess

  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Wappinger arrested Mark Buchberger, age 58, of Wappinger, for DWI. After being reported missing, patrols searching for Buchberger found him on Broad Street in the village of Fishkill. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Saturday, July 21, State Police from Wappinger arrested James M. Hannigan, age 34, of Wappinger, for DWI. He was traveling on New Hackensack Road in the village of Wappinger Falls, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.
  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Wappinger arrested Alan N. Jacobs, age 68, of Poughkeepsie, for DWI and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, class A misdemeanors. He was traveling on State Route 9D in the town of Wappinger, when he was involved in a personal injury motor vehicle collision. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested. Additionally Jacobs was found to be in possession of Valium, Alprazolam, and Oxycodone/Acetaminophen.

Orange County

  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Cortlandt arrested Jose A. Giraldo, age 63, of Middletown, for DWI, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 1st degree, a class E felony. He was traveling on State Route 9 in the town of Cortlandt, when he was found blocking an exit ramp due to a flat tire. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.

Fairfield County

  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from East Fishkill arrested Milton Spencer, age 41, of Bridgeport, for Aggravated DWI Leandra’s Law, DWI with 2 prior convictions, both class E felonies, Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Bail Jumping in the 3rd degree, Aggravated harassment in the 2nd degree, all class A misdemeanors, and Reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor. He was traveling on Interstate 84 in the town of Southeast, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol while carrying child passengers without seatbelts, and was subsequently arrested.  
  • On Sunday, July 22, State Police from Dover Plains arrested Joshua G. Lyons, age 25, of Brookfield, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 22 in the town of Amenia, when he was involved in a property damage motor vehicle collision. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was subsequently arrested.

Each of the arrested parties was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. Each has since been released to a sober third-party and are due back in court later this year to answer the charges.

to follow Daily Voice South Orange and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE