SULLIVAN, MADISON CO. -- The man accused of hitting a woman with his car and killing her while she was out walking her dog has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
State Police say 37-year-old Jason Forshee of Chittenango was arrested Wednesday night for his role in a car-pedestrian crash that claimed the life of 57-year-old Lynn Eggert. Police say Forshee was under the influence of narcotics when he drove his Toyota Camry off the side of State Route 5 in the Town of Sullivan and struck Eggert, who was walking her dog with her husband Steven.
The crash took place around 11:15 a.m., about a mile from the Eggerts' home. Neither Forshee nor Steven Eggert was injured in the crash. State Police say Forshee told investigators he had smoked marijuana the night before the crash, but Troopers are still working to determine how much time passed between that event and the crash itself. Police also say Forshee was on prescription medication at the time of the crash, but did not elaborate as to what kind.
Police say the 2010 Camry was a rental after Forshee rear-ended another driver Tuesday afternoon. He was issued a ticket for that incident, in which no one was injured.
Forshee is charged with misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. He was arraigned in Town of Sullivan Court and taken to the Madison County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. Forshee later posted the $5,000 bail and was released.
The Madison County District Attorney's office says it is considering more charges anaginst Forshee. He is due back in Sullivan Town Court on November 16 at 4:30 p.m.
Original story from Wednesday:
A Madison County woman was killed while walking her dog along Route 5 Wednesday morning.
According to State Police, 57-year-old Lynn Eggert and her husband Steven Eggert were walking their dog near the Nice & Easy gas station on State Route 5 in the Town of Sullivan, near Chittenango. The couple was walking east when 37-year-old Jason Forshee of Dyke Road in Chittenango approached in his car, also traveling east. Troopers say Forshee looked down at his cell phone and drove off the road, striking Lynn Eggert with the driver’s side of the car.
It's a disturbing case of distracted driving, that has some people that travel in the area on edge. "I was shocked, because I walk on the road with my dog too, so it's a scary situation," said Valerie Brady. "When this sort of thing happens it makes you second guess going for a walk in the road anymore."
"I'm not suprised, people are driving and not paying attention and sadly people are paying the price for that," said Cindy Hall.
Troopers say Lynn Eggert was taken to Upstate University Hospital, where she died from her injuries. Steven Eggert was not injured in the crash, but was taken to the State Police barracks and was described as “very distraught”. The dog ran off after the crash, but has since returned home.
Investigators reconstructed the crash scene, and say Forshee’s car drove approximately another 100 yards after hitting Eggert. Police say the Eggerts live less than a mile from the scene.
The section of Route 5 between Tuscarora Road and Rams Gate Road was closed for hours while police investigated the crash scene.
Some drivers say they are also concerned about speed on that busy stretch of Route 5. "People are traveling way too fast. It's a state highway, it is not a local road. And they're not paying attention to the speed limit or other drivers," said Cheryl Shaeger. "I know how dangerous this highway can be. It's something people just need to be more aware of."
Police say no charges have been filed yet, but the investigation is continuing and charges may be pending. Police say Forshee was involved in another incident Tuesday where he rear-ended a woman's car.
