Jury Finds Repeat Drunk Driver Who Led Cops On Wild Chase Guilty In Felony Trial

ELLENVILLE, NY — An Ulster County jury has convicted a notorious drunken driver.

On Wednesday, the Ulster County trial jury deliberated for about 30 minutes and rendered a verdict convicting 46-year-old David Loyd, of Sullivan County, for all crimes charged in his indictment. The charges stemmed from his Dec. 18 arrest in Ellenville.

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He fled from police until he got a flat tire; then he fled on foot. NYSP eventually arrested him with assistance at the scene from Ellenville police and the Ulster County Sheriff's Office.

After running a stop sign on Washington Avenue, Loyd stopped on Lincoln Street and backed up, nearly hitting a police car. State police tried stopping him with lights and sirens but he led them on a pursuit through Ellenville, including driving at high speeds reaching 30 miles per hour. over the posted speed limits on busy roads, hitting curbs and causing sparks, running other stop signs, and driving through a McDonald's parking lot, endangering others on the road and in the neighborhood in the process.

He fled on foot through residential backyards until he was tased.

Loyd refused field sobriety and chemical tests.

His license had been permanently revoked because of prior drunk-driving offenses. Loyd was in violation of court orders revoking his license,and requiring him to install an Ignition Interlock Device on any vehicles he owned or used.

The jury heard approximately one and a half days of evidence followed by closing arguments on the charges and quickly returned a verdict of guilty on all of them. The charges included felony driving while intoxicated; first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (for driving with a revoked license and while intoxicated); first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (for driving while his privilege to do so is permanently revoked); fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; circumventing an ignition interlock device; obstructing governmental administration; and reckless driving.

Senior Assistant DA Karin Intermill, who also heads the DA's DUI unit, prosecuted this case.

"This defendant has a long history of multiple offenses involving driving while under the influence of alcohol," Intermill said. "This case is proof that he continues to represent a danger to the community. I am grateful to the jurors for their attention and serious consideration in this case."

DA Emmanuel Nneji praised the work and dedication Intermill, and the assistance of ADA Anthony Stephens, in the prosecution of the case.

"These are dedicated public servants in this Office who, like all others here, are singularly focused on the safety of the people of Ulster County," DA Nneji said. "This focus is vital because we have selfish and arrogant criminals like David Loyd who don't give a damn about the hazards they present to the rest of the public. He is a belligerent man who feels the world owes him everything, but he owes no responsibility to others. His arrogance and selfishness are no different from those in the past who have traumatized others and families with serious physical injuries and much worse but have nothing to offer except hollow apologies. At some point enough has to be just that – enough."

Loyd chose to represent himself while his attorney was in court throughout the trial ready to step in.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16.