A Watertown man was arrested following a multi-vehicle crash and brief foot pursuit in the Town of Romulus, according to the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. Sunday on State Route 96. When authorities arrived, they found an abandoned red Dodge Ram 2500 that had reportedly struck a guardrail, a Department of Transportation road sign, a parked vehicle, and a privately owned shed.
Witnesses told deputies the driver fled the scene on foot into a nearby wooded area. Law enforcement established a perimeter and later located the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Brian Kampnich, who was allegedly attempting to hide. Deputies say Kampnich ignored multiple verbal commands before being taken into custody.
Investigators determined Kampnich was the owner and operator of the vehicle. Authorities also report he was wearing his New York State uniform at the time of the crash as an officer assigned to Five Points Correctional Facility.
Kampnich has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree. Deputies say he also refused to submit to a breath test during processing.
He was issued uniform traffic tickets and transported to the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Part Court to await further proceedings.
The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
