GREENPORT—A motorcyclist was killed as a result of injuries suffered in a crash with a van on State Route 23 at the intersection with routes 9G/23B, June 18 at 1:06 p.m.
Investigating deputies found that a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Shawn M. Griffin, 46, of Greenport was traveling west on State Route 23, approaching the intersection of state routes 9G/23B.
At the same time, a 1995 Chevrolet van, operated by Michael E. Jornov, 57, of Hunter was traveling east on State Route 23 and turned left onto State Route 9G/23B and into the path of the motorcycle.
The van struck the motorcycle in the westbound lane of State Route 23 and the operator of the motorcycle was ejected, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett.
The Greenport Rescue Squad took Mr. Griffin to Columbia Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
An obituary for Mr. Griffin appears on page 26.
Mr. Jornov was not injured in the accident. He was issued a ticket for failing to yield right of way, which is returnable to Greenport Court, June 27.
The accident is still under investigation by Sheriff’s investigators, the Sheriff’s Accident/Incident Investigation Unit, and the Office of the District Attorney.
The Greenport Rescue Squad, Northern Dutchess Paramedics, Greenport Fire Department, Hudson Fire Department and the State Police assisted at the scene.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office are Undersheriff John Davi, Captain John DeRocha, Lieutenant Wayne Lopez, Investigator William Dunspaugh, First Sergeant Louis Bray, Deputy Scott Leggett, Deputy Thomas Merante and K9 Deputy Travis VanAlstyne.
Kinderhook
Two Columbia County men were charged for possessing stolen property following a trespass complaint. Joseph P. Drabick, 35, of Ghent was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property and third degree criminal trespass, all misdemeanors, by Livingston State Police, June 13 at 5:15 p.m.
Troopers were dispatched to Keegan Brothers on State Route 9H in Kinderhook to investigate a trespassing complaint in-progress. Following an investigation, troopers discovered that Mr. Drabick had stolen automotive parts and copper pipe and he did not act alone.
A second suspect, David A Feller, 48, of Hudson was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony; possession of burglar tools, a class A misdemeanor; fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor, and third degree criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor. Mr. Feller had fled the scene prior to police arrival. He was located several hours later on Kinderhook Street and placed in custody.
Both defendants were arraigned in Kinderhook Town Court before Justice David Dellehunt. Mr. Drabick was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail. Mr. Feller was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
*Matthew R. Johnson, 31, of Claverack was charged with third degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer, a class A misdemeanor, by Kinderhook State Police after he allegedly led troopers on a pursuit along Route 9H, June 16.
Mr. Johnson was spotted speeding and took officers on a short pursuit before surrendering.
He was also issued a number of Vehicle and Traffic Law tickets and arraigned in Stuyvesant Court before Justice Carrie O’Hare and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 bond. Mr. Johnson is slated to appear in Kinderhook Court at a later date.
Chatham
Antonio D. Rodriguez, 48, of Chatham was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor, and third degree menacing, a class B misdemeanor, by New Lebanon State Police, June 11 at 8:06 p.m.
Columbia County 911 called troopers to a dispute at a residence on State Route 203.
Mr. Rodriguez allegedly ripped the phone from the wall preventing the victim from calling for help and threatened to physically harm the victim.
Mr. Rodriguez was arraigned in Ghent Court before Justice Michael Bruno and was released on his own recognizance. He is slated to appear in Chatham Town Court at a later date.
Canaan
A 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, both residents of the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, 13640 State Route 22, were each charged with second degree assault, a class D felony, by New Lebanon State Police, June 9 at 7:45 p.m.
The boys allegedly dumped hot oil on another resident. The Chatham Rescue Squad took the injured juvenile to the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA.
The two juveniles were issued appearance tickets returnable in Columbia County Family Court at a later date and were released to Berkshire Farm Center staff.
Drugs and alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Nicholas W. Silvia, 22, of Taunton, MA, was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. New Lebanon State Police stopped Mr. Silvia on State Route 22, New Lebanon for failing to signal his intent to turn. He allegedly possessed more than an estimated 50 grams of marijuana. He was issued tickets to appear in New Lebanon Court June 23.
*Kelly Barland, 55, of Williston, VT, was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, by Livingston State Police, June 10 at 1:40 a.m. Troopers patrolling the Taconic State Parkway in Ghent saw an Audi parked off the roadway with front end damage. Police conducted a welfare check on the vehicle’s operator, Mr. Barland, and learned that he had hit a deer which caused damage to his vehicle. Further investigation revealed he was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He supplied a breath sample yielding a blood alcohol content of .13%. He was released with tickets returnable in Ghent Court at a later date.
*Zachary J. DeGroodt, 27, of Chatham was charged with second degree aggravated unlicensed operation (three or more suspensions) and unlawful possession of marijuana, by Livingston State Police, June 11 at 9:45 p.m. Troopers patrolling State Route 66, Ghent saw a Jeep traveling north without a license plate lamp. Mr. DeGroodt was found to have a suspended license with a total of six suspensions (four scoffs on three dates). He also allegedly possessed marijuana. He was arraigned in Ghent Court and released on his own recognizance.
*Ethan R. Burwick, 26, of Cheshire, CT, was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony; seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and speeding by New Lebanon State Police, June 9 at 10:50 p.m. Troopers stopped Mr. Burwick on State Route 22, New Lebanon for speeding. An investigation revealed that he was allegedly in possession of candies made with concentrated cannabis, marijuana wax, and marijuana. Mr. Burwick was arraigned in New Lebanon Court and released after he posted $168 bail. He is scheduled to return to New Lebanon Court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com