Oneida-based state police charged a Verona Beach man with DWAI-drugs after he crashed his vehicle in the town of Lenox Wednesday afternoon.
At approximately 1:15 p.m. Nov. 23, Madison County 911 dispatched troopers to State Route 13 near Carter Road in Lenox for a one-car property damage accident. Troopers Stacy Ferris and Justin Weakley responded and found that a 2006 Dodge Caravan operated by Dana M. Shear, 54, of Oneida Street, Verona Beach had been southbound on State Route 13 rounding a gradual left-hand curve when the vehicle drove off of the west side of the roadway.
The van struck a road marker before crashing into a utility pole just south of Carter Road. Shear reported no injuries. While interviewing Shear, troopers determined his ability to drive was likely impaired by the use of prescription medications he was taking; he was taken into custody and transported to the Oneida state police barracks, where he was evaluated by a drug recognition expert.
Shear was charged with misdemeanor driving while ability impaired by drugs and issued traffic tickets returnable in Lenox Town Court Nov. 29, 2016.