Intoxicated Driver in Clinton Hits Patrol Car during DWI Stop

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Intoxicated Driver in Clinton Hits Patrol Car during DWI Stop

October 19, 2011
Author: Chris M. Alexander

A resident from Clinton was taken into custody for drunk driving following a collision with a law enforcement vehicle belonging to the Oneida County Sheriff. The marked law enforcement vehicle had stopped another car on the side of the rode before Robert J. Rowland, a man in his mid-twenties, allegedly hit the cruiser.

The Driver Was Apparently Intoxicated

According to the deputies, Rowland was traveling southbound in the far right lane of an arterial road adjacent to Burr stone Road, when this incident took place. Rowland failed to apply proper care when moving to the right lane where the law enforcement unit was parked with flashing red emergency lights. He zeroed in on the unit due to his apparent inebriation.

Deputy was assisting on another DUI Stop

Deputy Jay Sorrentino, was the officer in charge of the law enforcement vehicle that took the brunt of Mr. Rowland’s incursion. The deputy was not in the unit at the time of the collision as he was assisting a second deputy with the arrest of a DUI suspect. Rowland decided that Deputy Sorrentino did not have enough to handle so he chose to increase the deputy’s paperwork load. There was no comment by the sheriff’s office on any possible over time caused by the incident. However, this does not rule out the possibility of collusion between the deputy and Mr. Rowland who also could not be reached for comment.

Air Bag Saves the Drunk Driver

Mr. Rowland’s car slammed into the left rear of the unit, knocking the helpless vehicle over a curb and into a railing that was placed on the side of the road to prevent vehicles from tumbling down an embankment. Rowland’s air bag seemed to be in working order and protected him from getting serious injuries. His vehicle came to a stop in the left-hand lane.

The Collision Caused a Road Closure

Thankfully nobody was hurt; however two cars were seriously damaged and were last seen being towed off from the area. Other drivers had to find another route home as the road had to be closed for over an hour.

Brand New State Law to Be Tested

Rowland will get a chance to hire a lawyer to test the constitutionality of the state’s new Ambrose-Searle’s “Move Over Act” that got implemented at the start of the year. DWI law, which he apparently violated, was made to prosecute drivers that endanger the lives of Deputies Officers, and Emergency workers as they do their jobs along the sides of the states roadways. If convicted of this violation and DUI, Mr. Rowland will face possible jail time where he will be able to sit and contemplate his next excursion, preferably without the aid of intoxicants.

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