Madison County Courier

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18 August 2019

Port Leyden Man killed in Lewis County Crash

On August 17, 2019, at 7:19 A.M., State Police in Lowville responded to Gyore Road in the town of Watson, Lewis County for a reported dump truck rollover accident.

The preliminary investigation had determined that 49-year-old, Johney E. Rogers Jr. of Port Leyden, NY was operating a dump truck owned by VS Virkler and Sons, Inc. westbound on Gyore Road when the vehicle exited the roadway and landed on its passenger side. Rogers was pronounced deceased at the scene.

State Police was assisted at the scene by members from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Search and Rescue, Lowville Fire Department, and Groff’s Towing.

The investigation is continuing.

18 August 2019

Storm leaves motorists stranded on Route 12 in Utica

On August 17, 2019, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Trooper Joseph P. Lomonico was on routine patrol traveling northbound on State Route 12, in the city of Utica when he noticed traffic stopped just north of the Noyes Street intersection.

Trooper Lomonico then approached the stopped traffic from the right shoulder until he could observe the northbound lanes of the North-South Arterial completely flooded to the top of the concrete barrier.  He located nine vehicles stranded in the passing lane of northbound State Route 12 and three vehicles completely submerged. Trooper Lomonico waded through the water to check on each operator of the vehicles, before rescuing two of the five drivers. Trooper Lomonico alongside NYSDOT worker Kevin O. Kalk then assisted the other three submerged vehicle occupants out of their vehicles by the Court Street exit ramp.

Troopers worked with NYSDOT officials, and Sergeant Christopher Fanigula of the Utica Police Department with the closure of State Route 12 in both directions until the water could recede. No injuries were reported at the scene. 

22 August 2019

Marcellus woman hospitalized after roll-over crash in Lysander

State Police in Lysander are investigating a one-car roll-over crash that occurred around 9 a.m. this morning on Route 48 (Oswego Road) in the town of Lysander.

The preliminary investigation has revealed a 2018 Ford Festiva, operated by Anita G. Lapointe, age 75 from Marcellus, NY was traveling northbound on State Highway 48 when she drove off the shoulder of the roadway, struck an earth embankment and   overturned several times before ultimately coming to rest on the passenger side.

Lapointe was extricated by Baldwinsville Fire Department and transported to Upstate University Hospital by ambulance for minor arm/shoulder pain.

The investigation is continuing.

22 August 2019

Watertown man arrested for DWAI-drugs after crashing into mailbox

State Police in Watertown arrested Steven L. Tabor, age 29 from 517 Hamlin Street Watertown, NY for DWAI-drugs, an unclassified misdemeanor and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st degree, a class “E” felony.

On August 21, 2019 at 12:37 p.m., Troopers responded to 20181 State Route 3 in the town of Watertown for a vehicle that struck a mailbox and came to rest against a neighbor’s house.  Witnesses reported the driver appeared to be running from the scene.

Troopers located Tabor who was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of drugs and driving with a suspended license.  Tabor was arraigned in the town of Watertown Court and was remanded to the Jefferson county Public Safety Building on $15,000 cash bail/ $30,000 bond.  He is scheduled to appear in the town of Watertown Court on August 29, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.