One hurt when tractor trailer rolls, blocks both eastbound lanes

By DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—Hudson Police still await DNA testing results on the human skeletal remains found in the city the morning of December 9, Hudson Police Chief Mishanda Franklin told The Columbia Paper by phone December 18.

The remains are those of an adult, but the person’s age or how long the remains had been there are still unknown, she said.

A survey crew working on Mill Street discovered the remains in a wooded area, December 9 at 11:18 a.m. Hudson Police responded to the scene after receiving a call transferred from the State Police.

Patrols and detectives confirmed the skeletal remains were human. HPD is working with the State Police BCI and Forensic Identification Unit to conduct a thorough investigation and identify the discovered remains.

*Jazia R. Shivers, 20, and Jovina L. Shivers, 41, both of Hudson, were each charged on an arrest warrants for third degree assault with intent to cause physical injury by Hudson Police Officers Kevin Keyser and Anthony Conn, November 26 at 8:04 p.m.

The arrest warrants were issued by Hudson Court Judge John Connor, November 26. Both defendants were processed and held for arraignment.

*Daniel John Graziano, 53, of Hudson was charged with second degree strangulation by Hudson Police Officer Evan Foutch, December 1 at 10:03 a.m. Mr. Graziano was arrested following an altercation that occurred at 52 Green Street. He was processed and held for court arraignment.

*Bill Moore Huston, III, 59, of Hudson was charged with disorderly conduct: disturbing a lawful assembly, by Hudson Police Officer Jennifer Keyser, December 3 at 10 a.m. He was arrested on active warrant out of Hudson City Court and was held for arraignment.

*Jennifer N. Drabick, 36, of Hudson was charged with third degree assault with intent to cause physical injury by Hudson Police Officer Kevin Keyser, December 4 at 7:56 p.m. She was arrested on an active arrest warrant signed by Hudson City Court Judge John Connor, November 27.

She was issued an appearance ticket and was to return to court at a later date.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com

Kreutzer sentenced to 20 years for firing on trooper

HUDSON—A Livingston woman, convicted by a Columbia County Jury for her involvement in a 2020 attempted police shooting, was sentenced December 11 to 20 years in prison with 5 years post release supervision on a charge of second degree attempted murder before Judge E. Danielle Jose-Decker.

Following an August trial, Madison A. Kreutzer, 38, was found guilty of second degree attempted murder, a class B felony; first degree reckless endangerment, a D felony; first degree criminal trespass, a D felony, and prohibitions on the use and possession of a firearm, a misdemeanor.

She was sentenced to 2⅓ to 7 years on each of the D felonies, to be served concurrently, and three months on the misdemeanor. Ms. Kreutzer, who has been held in the County Jail since the trial ended, awaits transfer to state prison.

The investigation showed police responded to a Town of Gallatin home following a report of a suspect brandishing a gun and that four civilians—two housekeepers and two landscapers—were also on the property. When a New York State Police sergeant approached the home, Ms. Kreutzer fired at least two shots. She then retreated back into the home and following police negotiations was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.

Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant and Chief First Assistant Cheryl Botts represented the state while defense attorney James Knox of Albany represented the defendant.

DMV warns drivers of increased deer and moose activity

GHENT—The New York State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) cautioned drivers about the increased danger of hitting deer and moose this season. These animals are more active during their breeding seasons and more likely to cross roads, bridges and highways.

“It is always wise to drive carefully in areas where deer and moose live, but fall is an especially important time to be alert to their presence. Knowing what to do when you encounter a deer or moose on or near the road can significantly decrease your likelihood of a crash,” DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a press release.

Deer and moose are especially active at dawn and dusk, times when visibility may be reduced and traffic may be heavier. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and their height, which puts their heads and much of their bodies above vehicle headlights. There are roughly 700 moose are in the Adirondack region, with a handful also along the Vermont and Massachusetts borders. There are estimated to be between 1.1 million to 1.3 million white-tailed deer in New York State.

In 2023, there were 31,329 crashes with a deer in New York State, five of them fatal, according to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research. There were an additional 7,328 with another animal.

Of those crashes, 12,195 crashes with deer occurred in October, November and December with the largest number, 5,498, in November.

There were 2,485 crashes with other animals in the same three-month timeframe.

Here are some tips to avoid a collision with a deer or a moose:

*Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can “bolt” or change direction at the last minute

*If you see a deer cross the road, decrease speed. Deer often travel in groups, so expect other deer to follow

*Use your headlights to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road

*When a deer or moose approaches the roadway ahead, honk the car horn to discourage them from entering the roadway

*Use added caution on roadways marked with “deer crossing” signs

*Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced

*If you encounter an animal in the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, tree, pole, or other objects.

If an animal is hit, motorists are advised to stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer or moose may use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to cause harm.

Other tips when you strike or encounter an animal include:

*Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road and turn on hazard lights. If leaving the vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of oncoming vehicles. If a collision occurs at dusk or dawn, be advised that traffic visibility is reduced

*Call the police. Alert authorities if the animal is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, fill out an official crash report and send it to DMV

*Don’t assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that won’t latch, and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow truck.