Police: Driver Fled After Route 9 Crash

Traffic was heavier than usual on Route 9 last week after police say New York resident attempted to flee the scene of a crash during rush hour on Tuesday.

Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd of the Howell Police Department reported that just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, a 2008 Honda Pilot driven by 48-year-old Howell resident Lydia Santoro was slowing down in traffic when the passenger side of her car was struck. Dodd said the driver of the second car got out of his vehicle and locked it before fleeing the scene.

Witnesses to the crash were able to provide a description of the driver which was eventually used to locate 42-year-old Kevin Dyer of Endicott NY walking on Cattail Drive near New Friendship Road.

Dodd said Dyer told officers he was attempting to pick up his cell phone while driving which caused the crash. He further explained that ran “because he panicked,” according to Dodd. Following the accident he was arrested and charged with driving under the influcence after witnesses said he was seen driving on the shoulder before crashing into the other car.

Other charges as a result of the crash included refusal to submit to a breath test, reckless driving, passing on the shoulder, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash and failure to report a motor vehicle crash.