CRAIG D. APPLE SR.

ACTING SHERIFF

PAUL M. COURCELLE
CHIEF DEPUTY

WILLIAM C. COX
UNDERSHERIFF

MATTHEW J. CAMPBELL
CHIEF DEPUTY

ALBANY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

COUNTY COURT HOUSE ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207 (518) 487-5400 FAX: (518) 487-5037 WWW.ALBANYCOUNTYSHERIFF.COM

Press Release November 28, 2011

Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple and Albany County STOP-DWI Administrator Lieutenant Kerry B. Thompson today announced the latest countywide STOP-DWI enforcement crackdown. The crackdown coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and was performed from November 23, 2011 to November 27, 2011. As part of Sheriff Apples new approach, this enforcement effort was not announced to the public. During this enforcement wave, law enforcement agencies throughout the county were out in full force, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to reduce the incidence of drunk driving to ensure the safety of our roadways. Motorists are reminded that driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher will put them over the limit and under arrest. Drivers should further note that operating a vehicle with a BAC of more than 0.05 is driving while ability impaired. This most recent effort resulted in 23 arrests for motorists allegedly operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Three of those that were arrested faced additional charges under a violation under Leandras Law for driving while intoxicated with a passenger under the age of 15 inside their vehicle. In Bethlehem, the New York State Police Arrested a Nevada woman for allegedly driving on the thruway with a BAC of .11% with her one year old in the back seat. In Green Island, the Green Island Police Department arrested a village resident who allegedly found to have a BAC of .15% with his 11 year old son in the vehicle and in Colonie, the Albany County Sheriffs Office arrested a Rochester man who allegedly had a BAC of .13% with his 4 month old child in the in the back seat. The enforcement period also resulted in 1059 traffic stops with 617 citations being issued for a variety of violations. Keeping with the new policy of naming these patrols in honor of past DWI victims, this saturation patrol was held in honor of Donna M. Rehm who lost her life as a result of a crash that occurred on December 23, 2006 at Second Avenue and 23rd Street in the City of Watervliet. In that case, Donna Rhem was working as a Capitaland taxi driver when a vehicle that was operated by Megan Vogel of Latham crashed into her Taxi. Following the crash it was determined that Megan Vogel had a blood alcohol content of .13 and she was later convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She was sentenced to two to six years in state prison. After sentencing, Albany County District Attorney David Soares was quoted as saying This tragic incident shows the unnecessary and unfortunate consequences drinking and driving can have on the community. Two families have had their lives permanently altered as a result of poorly chosen, and easily avoidable, actions. I hope that this case serves as a reminder of how serious an issue this is within Albany County and how the easy decision to not drink and drive can prevent events like this from occurring. "The holidays should be a time of celebration with family and friends and shouldnt be ruined by a senseless tragedy due to someone choosing to drink and drive", Sheriff Apple said. This holiday season motorists are reminded that if they drink and drive, they will be arrested.