A NYS Corrections Officer admits to driving drunk and causing a crash in Moreau last August. He struck a plea bargain with the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, February 18. The accident sent a man who was trying to teach his daughter how to drive to the hospital, according to District Attorney Karen Heggen.
Jason Abraham, 32, of Greenfield Center, faces up to four years in prison and will be sentenced in May, authorities said. Thursday morning, he pleaded guilty to one count of Vehicular Assault (1st Degree, Class D Felony) before County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III, the former DA in Saratoga County.
In the early evening hours of August 3, 2015, Abraham was speeding southbound on State Route 9 in Moreau when he hit a vehicle from behind. That car was driven by Faith Batchelder and the force of the crash flung and flipped her car off the road until it hit a utility pole, investigators said. The force of the crash caused the pole to snap in half, they added in a statement, and the collision caused serious physical injuries to her passenger, her father Ronald Batchelder, Jr. Abraham was not hurt in the crash.
In the hours leading up to the crash, Abraham had been at the Saratoga Race Track drinking and a chemical test revealed his blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18% - more than twice the legal limit.
The Batchelders were on their way home from the driving lesson on what they thought would be a quiet evening drive on a summer night, according the DA.
"We, along with the family, are pleased that the Defendant has finally chosen to accept responsibility for his actions,” Heggen said in a statement, noting the strength of both Faith and Ron Batchelder. “While we were prepared to try this case, the fact that we were able to bring this family closure and justice without the need for Faith and Ron to relive that horrible night through trial testimony was likewise a victory today.”
Heggen added: "There is simply no excuse for this senseless and completely unnecessary crime. The Defendant's choice to spend the day drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel of his truck is criminal. The fact that this Defendant – a NYS corrections officer – would engage in this criminal behavior and put others at risk through his drunk driving is remarkable and truly disappointing.”
The case going to be heard by a jury beginning February 29 but ADA Matthew R. Coseo and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department had overwhelming evidence against Abraham, Heggen said.
Abraham will be sentenced May 5 at 9:30 a.m. to an expected state prison term of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. Additionally, Abraham’s driver’s license will be revoked and he will be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle he owns or ever operates upon his release for three years.
Read more: http://www.wgy.com/articles/capital-region-news-312698/corrections-officer-takes-plea-14400459#ixzz40zIs7M8s
Jason Abraham, 32, of Greenfield Center, faces up to four years in prison and will be sentenced in May, authorities said. Thursday morning, he pleaded guilty to one count of Vehicular Assault (1st Degree, Class D Felony) before County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III, the former DA in Saratoga County.
In the early evening hours of August 3, 2015, Abraham was speeding southbound on State Route 9 in Moreau when he hit a vehicle from behind. That car was driven by Faith Batchelder and the force of the crash flung and flipped her car off the road until it hit a utility pole, investigators said. The force of the crash caused the pole to snap in half, they added in a statement, and the collision caused serious physical injuries to her passenger, her father Ronald Batchelder, Jr. Abraham was not hurt in the crash.
In the hours leading up to the crash, Abraham had been at the Saratoga Race Track drinking and a chemical test revealed his blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18% - more than twice the legal limit.
The Batchelders were on their way home from the driving lesson on what they thought would be a quiet evening drive on a summer night, according the DA.
"We, along with the family, are pleased that the Defendant has finally chosen to accept responsibility for his actions,” Heggen said in a statement, noting the strength of both Faith and Ron Batchelder. “While we were prepared to try this case, the fact that we were able to bring this family closure and justice without the need for Faith and Ron to relive that horrible night through trial testimony was likewise a victory today.”
Heggen added: "There is simply no excuse for this senseless and completely unnecessary crime. The Defendant's choice to spend the day drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel of his truck is criminal. The fact that this Defendant – a NYS corrections officer – would engage in this criminal behavior and put others at risk through his drunk driving is remarkable and truly disappointing.”
The case going to be heard by a jury beginning February 29 but ADA Matthew R. Coseo and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department had overwhelming evidence against Abraham, Heggen said.
Abraham will be sentenced May 5 at 9:30 a.m. to an expected state prison term of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. Additionally, Abraham’s driver’s license will be revoked and he will be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle he owns or ever operates upon his release for three years.
Read more: http://www.wgy.com/articles/capital-region-news-312698/corrections-officer-takes-plea-14400459#ixzz40zIs7M8s
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