New York: DWI drivers kill, maim and crash while using heroin and booze; Valerie Devirgilio 2 1/2 the limit

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Valerie Devirgilio, double legal limit DWI NYSP 040815
Valerie Devirgilio, double legal limit DWI NYSP 040815

The following reports from the New York State Police note recent DWI arrests:

(Pendleton, NY – April 8, 2015)  New York State Police report that Valerie L. Devirgilio, 33, of Pendleton, NY was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, Failed to Use Designated Lane and Consumption of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle.

Devirgilio was observed travelling on the shoulder of the roadway on Fiegel Road in the Town of Pendleton. Troopers interviewed Devirgilio and immediately detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her and saw in plain view an opened alcoholic beverage.

Devirgilio was administered the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, which she subsequently failed. She was arrested and transported to SP Lockport for processing where she recorded a BAC of 0.21%, two and a half times over the legal limit.

Devirgilio was issued uniform traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Pendleton Court on April 15, 2015.

 

James-Senick-NYSP-DWI-arrest

On April 9, 2015 New York State Police arrested James T. Senick, 43, of Gerry, NY after a traffic stop on Old Chautauqua Road about 12:40PM for a broken tail light.

Senick was arrested for DWI following field sobriety tests.
He was processed at SP Jamestown where a BAC of .13 was obtained.
Senick was issued tickets for Driving While Intoxicated and Inadequate Tail Lights returnable to the Town of Charlotte Court and released to a third party.
(Gaines, NY – April 4, 2015) Bernardo T. Hernandez 39 of Waterport, NY was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Inadequate Brake Lights and Failed to Keep Right.

 

 

Bernardo Hernandez DWI arrest NYSP 040415
Bernardo Hernandez DWI arrest NYSP 040415

Hernandez was westbound on State Route 104 in the Town of Gaines when he was observed swerving on the roadway. When Troopers interviewed him, there was an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from him. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were partially completed, which he failed.

Hernandez was subsequently arrested and transported to Albion PD for a breath test where he recorded a BAC of 0.17%, twice over the legal limit.

He was then transported to SP Albion for processing. Hernandez was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Gaines Court on April 15, 2015.

Attention New Yorkers: Just in case you don’t already know that you have some really incompetent and lame prosecutors and judges who fail to put career DWI drivers behind bars, read about this arrest!

William L. Brown DWI arrest Niagara Falls NYSP 040815
William L. Brown DWI arrest Niagara Falls NYSP 040815

(Niagara Falls, NY – April 8, 2015) William L. Brown, 51, of Niagara Falls, NY was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st Permanently  Revoked, Driving While Intoxicated-Previous Conviction in 10 years, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs-Prior Conviction in 10 Years, all Class E Felonies, Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th, Operating Without an Interlock Device, both Class A Misdemeanors.

Troopers responded to a report of a hit and run property damage accident. The operator, James M. Dipronio of Niagara Falls, NY was westbound on the Robert Moses Parkway when a male, later identified as William Brown, driving a black/gray Chevrolet Suburban who was driving alongside of Dipronio, suddenly went into his lane. Brown struck the left rear quarter panel of Dipronio’s vehicle. Brown fled the scene and was later located on Niagara St. in the City of Niagara Falls.

Brown was administered and failed the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and tested positive for drugs by a Drug Recognition Expert. Brown was arrested and processed at SP Niagara. He was issued uniform traffic tickets returnable for the City of Niagara Falls Court on April 20, 2015.

ATV driver looped while looping on roadway

LEWIS, N.Y. — On April 7, 2015, at approximately 7:25 p.m., State Police responded to a residence on State Route 9 in the town of Lewis for a report of an ATV driving up and down the roadway.

38-year-old Adam R. Brown of Lewis was observed in that area operating a Can-Am Commander 800 up and down State Route 9.  Troopers followed the ATV to another nearby residence on State Route 9 where Brown was subsequently arrested for DWI.

His blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.16%.  Brown was charged with DWI and arraigned in the Town of Lewis Court.  He was remanded to Essex County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail, $1,000 bond.

Terry Dumas Charged with DWI

On April 5, 2015, at approximately midnight, State Police conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country on Star Road in Ellenburg for making an improper left turn.

The operator, 50-year-old Terry F. Dumas Sr. of Ellenburg, was subsequently arrested for DWI.

Dumas refused to provide a breath sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood.
Dumas’ license was found to be suspended due to a prior DWI in 2014.

Dumas was charged with DWI, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st Degree, a felony. He was also tickted for refusal to take a breath test, improper left turn and failure to keep right. Dumas was arraigned in the Town of Mooers Court where he was released on his own recognizance. Dumas is to reappear in the Town of Ellenburg Court on April 9, 2015, at 7 p.m.

Drugged driving in the parking lot of Northern Cakes Redemption Center
Plattsburgh, NY — On April 5, 2015, at approximately 8 p.m., State Police conducted a traffic stop on a 2001 Buick Le Sabre in the parking lot of Northern Cakes Redemption Center, for traveling with only one headlight. The operator, 32-year-old Joshua M. Powell of Plattsburgh was subsequently found to be under the influence of drugs.

He was placed under arrest for DWAI-Drugs. Powell was transported to the University of Vermont Health Network in Plattsburgh where he submitted to a blood test to determine the drug content of his blood. He was charged with DWAI-Drugs and further ticketed for unlicensed operation, uninspected motor vehicle and inadequate headlights.

Powell was released with tickets to appear in Plattsburgh Town Court on April 14, 2015, at 4 p.m.


CHATEAUGAY, N. Y. — On April 5, 2015, at approximately 5:30 p.m. State Police conducted a traffic stop on State Route 11 in the town of Chateaugay on a 2011 Chevrolet Impala for speeding in zone.

The operator, 57-year-old Melanie A. McDonald of Massena was subsequently placed under arrest for DWI. Troopers found several open containers of beer inside her vehicle.

McDonald refused to provide a breath sample to determine her blood alcohol content. She was charged with DWI and further ticketed for speed in zone, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and refusal to submit to a breath test.

McDonald was arraigned in the Burke Town Court and released to the supervision of the Franklin County Probation Department. She is scheduled to reappear in the Chateaugay Town Court on April 13, 2015, at 6:30 p.m.

NORTH ELBA, N. Y. — On April 5, 2015, at approximately 4 p.m. State Police conducted a traffic stop on a 2014 GMC Sierra, traveling east on State Route 73 near the Adirondack Loj Road in the town of North Elba for speeding.

The operator, 53-year-old Richard J. Whitney Jr. of Lake Placid was subsequently arrested for DWI. His blood alcohol content was determined to be .14%. He was charged with DWI and he was also ticketed for speeding.

Whitney was released with tickets to appear in the Town Of North Elba Court on April 13, 2015, at 5 p.m.

POTSDAM, N. Y. — On April 5, 2015, at approximately 6:45 a.m. State Police responded to a one-car crash on River Road in the town of Potsdam. The operator, 22-year-old Thomas M. Powers of Auburn was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu south on River Road. He failed to negotiate a curve and struck a utility pole off the west shoulder of the roadway. Powers was not injured.

Powers was subsequently arrested for DWI. His blood alcohol content was detrmined to be .19%.  He was charged with Aggravated DWI and further ticketed for unsafe speed.

Powers was released with tickets returnable to the Town of Potsdam Court on April 23, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.

Kasandra M. Sotak arrested in Kirkwood NYSP 040515
Kasandra M. Sotak arrested in Kirkwood NYSP 040515

(Kirkwood, NY – April 7, 2015) On April 5, 2015, at about 1:40am, New York State Police at Binghamton arrested Kasandra M. Sotak, 25, of Binghamton, NY for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a reportable B.A.C. of .23%.

This arrest occurred after Troopers observed her having difficulty parking her vehicle in the Truck Stops of America Plaza on Court Street in Kirkwood, NY.

An investigation determined that she was driving while intoxicated.  Sotak was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Kirkwood Court on April 16, 2015.

State Police are investigating a fatal two-car crash that occurred shortly before 11am at the intersection of Kasson Road and Carol Drive in the Town of Camillus, Onondaga County.

David Yarinich charged with DWI – heroin; killed Jeanne Armstrong

David Yarnich crashed this BMW head on into a grandmother. Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com
David Yarnich crashed this BMW head on into a grandmother. Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com

The Town of Camillus Police Department, who arrived on scene shortly after the crash, requested the assistance from the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU).

The investigation revealed a 2008 BMW X3, operated by David Y. Yarinich, age 22, from 3704 Underwood Way Syracuse, NY was traveling southbound on Kasson when he crossed over into the northbound lane striking a 2003 Toyota Avalon head-on.

The driver of the Toyota, Jeanne L. Armstrong, age 79, from Elgin Drive in Syracuse, NY was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Yarinich was transported by ambulance to Upstate University Medical Center in Syracuse for a broken ankle.  He has been charged with DWAI – Drugs.  Further charges are pending against Yarinich.

The investigation is continuing.