Sullivan-based state police charged Michael A. Hernandez, 44, of Edgerton Street, Minoa, with DWAI-drugs following an accident investigation in Sullivan the afternoon of Oct. 16.
At approximately 3:49 p.m. Oct. 16, Trooper Michael Petrie was dispatched to a one-car accident on Smith Ridge Road where the vehicle involved had left the scene after striking and damaging a utility pole. A witness at the scene advised the trooper that a white Chevrolet Tahoe had crashed into the utility pole and then left the scene with heavy front-end damage.
The witness followed the Tahoe to a residence on Smith Ridge Road. Petrie responded to the residence and located the damaged Tahoe and the operator, Hernandez. While conducting the accident investigation, Petrie noticed that Hernandez appeared to be impaired by something other than alcohol and learned Hernandez had ingested a quantity of prescription medication prior to the crash.
Sobriety tests indicated Hernandez was impaired and he was taken into custody for DWAI-drugs. A drug recognition expert conducted an evaluation at the Oneida state police barracks and a blood sample was secured from Hernandez and forwarded to the state police forensic lab in Albany for analysis.
Hernandez was ticketed for DWAI-drugs and leaving the scene of a property damage accident and is scheduled to appear in Sullivan Town Court Nov. 4, 2017.