(Lakeport, NY – Jan. 21, 2012) Sullivan-based state police charged a 30-year-old Vernon man with driving while impaired by drugs after his vehicle nearly struck a state police patrol vehicle on State Route 31 in the Town of Sullivan at approximately 2:55 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Sergeant Matthew Navin was patrolling westbound on Route 31 when an eastbound 2002 Pontiac Sunfire drove across the center line of the road into the westbound lane, forcing the state police vehicle to swerve to the shoulder of the road to avoid a collision.
The Pontiac was stopped and the operator, Jonathan F. Lessels of Van Epps Street in Vernon, was found in possession of a large quantity of prescription medications and approximately 16 grams of marijuana. Field sobriety tests were administered and Lessels was found to be in an impaired condition.
Lessels was evaluated by a state police drug recognition expert at the SP Sullivan barracks and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs, seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Controlled Substance Outside Its Original Container.
Lessels is scheduled to appear in the Town of Sullivan Court on Feb. 7, 2012.
