UTICA -- A Clinton man is accused of driving drunk and crashing into an Oneida County Sheriff's DWI Unit.
It happened around 1:22 a.m. this morning in the southbound lane of the Route 5, 8, 12 Arterial.
Oneida County Sheriff's deputies say 25-year-old Robert Rowland, of Cherrywood Boulevard, was driving a 2002 Chevrolet when he slammed into the deputy's patrol car.
Deputy Jay Sorrentino was assisting with a DWI arrest at the time and had his red emergency lights activated. The deputy was outside his car at the time of the incident. The force of the crash pushed the patrol car over the curb and into the guard rails. Deputies say the air bag deployed on Rowland's car, which ended up in the opposite lane. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Part of the road was closed for more than an hour.
Rowland is charged with violating the Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act, which took effect on January 1st. Under the law, drivers must use due care when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on. They must slow down and move into the other lane if they are able to safely. Rowland is also charged with DWI and having a blood alcohol of .08 percent or greater.
He is due back in Utica City Court at a later date.
Are you concerned about drunk driving? Do you think the Move Over Act has worked to keep police officer safe? Leave your thoughts below.
