GREENPORT—Three people were taken to area hospitals following a two-vehicle head-on crash on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge (State Route 23), July 7 at 7:59 p.m.
A preliminary investigation by State Police from the Livingston Barracks revealed that a red 2013 Chevrolet sedan driven by Edward Murphy, 59, of Albany was operating erratically as he traveled eastbound across the bridge. Mr. Murphy drove his vehicle across the double yellow lines and into the westbound lane where he struck a 2003 Ford Focus head-on.
A medevac helicopter took the driver of the Ford Focus, Irene Pough, 57, of Catskill to Albany Medical Center, while the passenger in the Ford Focus, Virginia Pough, 29, of Catskill, her daughter, was taken by ambulance, also to Albany Medical Center. Both sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Mr. Murphy was first taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital and then to Albany Medical Center, also with non-life threatening injuries.
Mr. Murphy will be charged with first degree driving while ability impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor, and possibly other charges, according to State Police Public Information Officer Melissa McMorris, who said he was evaluated by a drug recognition expert.
State Police were assisted at the scene by the Greenport Fire Department, Greenport Police Department, Catskill Police Department, New York State Bridge Authority, the Greenport Rescue Squad and Catskill Ambulance. Catskill PD assisted with closing the bridge. Firefighters were back in service at 9:56 p.m.
Claverack
Benjamin Doyne, 27, of Catskill was charged with third degree burglary, a class D felony, by State Police from Livingston, July 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Troopers were dispatched to a vacant barn on State Route 9H for a possible burglary in progress at about 2 p.m.
With the assistance of a Good Samaritan, Mr. Doyne was found inside of the barn and placed in custody.
He was arraigned before Justice Michael Brandon in Claverack Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 19.
*A driver was hurt in a one-vehicle rollover accident on Gahbauer and Wenzels roads, June 21 at 6:59 p.m.
Kyle D. Wheeler, 23, of Philmont was driving a Volvo west on Gahbauer Road when he lost control of the vehicle, which rolled over and collided with a tree.
West Ghent firefighters extricated Mr. Wheeler from the vehicle and the Greenport Rescue Squad took him to Albany Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. State Police from Livingston issued Mr. Wheeler traffic tickets for speeding and unsafe tires.
Firefighters were back in service at 7:47 p.m.
*Richard E. Tyler, 50, of Pleasant Valley was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, by State Police from Livingston, June 22 at 9:45 a.m. Mr. Tyler, an employee at Brookwood Secure Center, allegedly intentionally broke a chair at the facility.
He was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear in Claverack Court at a later date.
*Deda Boga, 56, of Red Hook was arrested on a warrant for petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputies Jordan Brahm and Peter Grzeskow, June 28 at 11:11 a.m.
Mr. Boga is accused of stealing $500 in cash from a victim in Claverack. He was arraigned in Claverack Court and paid $250 bail. He will appear back in court July 19.
Ancram
Shawn W. Redden, 43, of Rensselaer was charged with second degree reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor, by State Police from Livingston, June 23 at 11:55 p.m.
A warrant was issued for Mr. Redden following a dispute during which he allegedly intentionally rear-ended a woman’s vehicle as she was driving it June 19.
Mr. Redden was located with the assistance of the City of Rensselaer Police Department. He was arraigned in front of Town Justice Robert Wilcox in Ancram Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $3,000 bond with a return court date of July 27.
Clermont
Matthew B. Gregg Jr., 23, of Germantown was charged with third degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing, both class A misdemeanors, by Sheriff’s Sergeant Brian Molinski and Deputy Kelly Briscoe, June 27 at 3:15 p.m.
Mr. Gregg is accused of punching a male victim in the head multiple times and then allegedly choking him at a residence in Clermont.
Mr. Gregg was arraigned in Livingston Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail. He was to return to court at a later date.
Hillsdale
James M. Laurange, 27, of Hudson was charged with second degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputy Patrick Mayo, June 13 at 6:11 p.m.
Mr. Laurange allegedly violated an order of protection. He was arraigned in Hillsdale Court and released on his own recognizance He will re-appear in court at later date.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Ethan R. Burwick, 26, of Cheshire, CT, was charged with fourth and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony and a class A misdemeanor, respectively, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, by State Police from the New Lebanon barracks, June 9 at 10:50 p.m.
Troopers stopped Mr. Burwick on State Route 22, new Lebanon for speeding. An investigation revealed that he allegedly possessed 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 court at a later date.
*Terry Loyola Trujillo, 20, of Kinderhook was charged with failure to keep right, failure to use designated lane, illegal signal and aggravated driving while intoxicated by State Police from New Lebanon, June 26 at 9:35 p.m. Troopers stopped Mr. Loyola Trujillo for failing to maintain his lane of travel and discovered that he was intoxicated. He provided a breath sample that revealed a .20% blood alcohol content and was issued traffic tickets directing him to appear in Kinderhook Town Court at a later date.
*Alphonse J. LePore, 43, of Carpinteria, CA, was charged with felony aggravated driving while intoxicated (with a child-passenger less than 16) by State Police from New Lebanon July 4 at 11:15 p.m.
Troopers stopped the vehicle Mr. LePore was operating on State Route 20 in New Lebanon for speeding, (63 mph in a posted 45 mph zone). He was found to be intoxicated at the time of the stop. He told police he had been drinking beer at a Fourth of July party in Pittsfield, MA, and was driving to Ossining with two children in the backseat of the vehicle, ages 23 months and five years old.
He provided a breath sample that revealed a blood alcohol content of .29%. He was arraigned in New Lebanon Court where he posted bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.