01/24/12

DRUG IMPAIRED DRIVER FAILS TO OBEY FIREMAN, DRIVES THROUGH ACCIDENT SCENE

A volunteer fireman for the Lebanon Valley Protective Association had a close call at an accident scene in New Lebanon Tuesday afternoon. The fireman, in full turn-out gear, wearing a reflective vest and carrying a six feet tall stop sign was directing traffic on Route 20 when a driver failed to stop for him and drove toward oncoming traffic. Trooper John La Plante saw the incident and pulled over the driver. Duncan Mitchell, 20, of Stephentown, NY was found to be under the influence of marihuana. Mitchell was arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. He was administered an evaluation by a Drug Recognition Expert at the New Lebanon State Police barracks. Mitchell will answer his charges in the New Lebanon Town Court on February 2nd.