A New York State Trooper assigned to protect a construction work zone on I-287 eastbound in Harrison escaped injury early Friday morning after his patrol vehicle was struck by a suspected drunk driver who then fled the scene.
The incident happened around 4:05 a.m. last Friday. According to State Police, the Troop T sergeant was parked in the right lane of the work zone when a 2018 Honda Accord sideswiped the rear driver’s side of the patrol vehicle. The driver — identified as 46-year-old David Wilkins of Stamford, Connecticut — did not stop.
The sergeant attempted to pull Wilkins over and initiated a pursuit with lights and sirens activated. Two additional Troop T members joined in. The chase lasted about four minutes, covered roughly three miles, and reached speeds up to 50 mph before Wilkins pulled over on the right shoulder. No injuries were reported.
Troopers say Wilkins showed signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety test. He refused to take a preliminary breath test and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was taken to SP New Rochelle for processing. Investigators also found several empty and partially full liquor bottles in his vehicle.
In addition to the DWI charge, Wilkins faces several violations, including:
- Unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (3rd degree)
- Leaving the scene of a property damage crash
- Aggravated unlicensed operation (1st degree) — conditional license violation
- Failure to exercise due care to avoid colliding with an emergency vehicle
- Reckless driving
- Consuming alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on a highway
- Operating a motor vehicle without insurance
State Police say the incident underscores the dangers troopers and highway workers face daily in construction zones, particularly from impaired or inattentive drivers.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
