Oneida-based state police arrested a Syracuse man for aggravated DWI following a 2 car crash in the Town of Lenox Tuesday evening.
Madison County 911 dispatched Trooper Michael Petrie to a 2 car property damage accident at the intersection of State Route 31 and State Route 13 at approximately 9:40 p.m. July 12.
The accident investigation revealed that a 2013 Kia Sorrento operated by Melvin D. Epes, 36, of Syracuse, was southbound on Route 13 making a right turn onto Route 31 when it made too wide of a turn and struck a 2012 Jeep Compass operated by Kathleen M. Schofield, 55, of Blossvale, which was eastbound on Route 31 stopped at the red light at Route 13 waiting to make a left turn.
While interviewing Epes, Trooper Petrie observed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath. Field sobriety tests indicated Epes was intoxicated and he was taken into custody for DWI. Epes was processed at the SP Oneida barracks, where a breath test determined his blood-alcohol content to be .22 percent.
Epes was ticketed for DWI, Aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, refusal to submit to a breath screen and other traffic violations. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Lenox Court July 26.