(Verona, NY – March 9, 2013) Oneida based state police charged Steven S. Merritt, 25, of Merry Street, Verona with DWI following a hit and run accident on Eastwood Drive in Verona Wednesday afternoon.
At approximately 12:50 p.m. on March 6, Trooper Jacob Byron responded to a report of a car/ utility pole accident at the intersection of Eastwood Drive and Greenwood Street in the Town of Verona.
Upon arrival, witnesses advised the trooper that a gold 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier had come around a curve at a high rate of speed on Eastwood Drive and slid out of control before striking and damaging a utility pole. The car then fled the scene and a witness followed the Cavalier until it entered the Thruway at the Verona Exit.
Trooper Byron notified the Thruway state police patrols and the vehicle was located a short time later parked in a commuter lot at the Canastota Thruway exit with heavy front end damage.
After further investigation, it was learned that Steven Merritt was the operator of the vehicle. Merritt was located and admitted to being the operator of the Cavalier.
While interviewing Merritt, Trooper Byron observed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and, following field sobriety tests, arrested Merritt for DWI.
Merritt was processed at the SP Oneida barracks, where a breath test determined his blood alcohol content to be .13 percent. Merritt was ticketed for DWI, Driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, Unsafe Speed, No Seat Belt, Failure to Keep Right, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident and a Cell Phone violation.
Merritt is scheduled to appear in the Town of Verona Court on March 19.