Troopers Injured On Taconic When Fleeing Driver Intentionally Hit Police Cars: NYSP

TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY, NY — A harrowing car chase left state troopers injured after the fleeing driver intentionally hit police cruisers, according to state police.

The New York State Police say that on Wednesday, around 3:05 p.m., a trooper from the Livingston barracks tried to stop a 2010 Ford pickup traveling on State Route 82, in the Town of Livingston. The driver refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that headed onto the Taconic State Parkway southbound.

Police say that the driver of the pickup, identified as 36-year-old Stephen M. Preston, of Cairo, intentionally struck and damaged five marked state police vehicles during the pursuit.

The pickup was finally disabled after the deployment of a "stinger" tire deflation device at mile marker 53.1, in the Town of Pleasant Valley.

Preston was taken into custody and charged with five felony counts of second-degree criminal mischief; three felony counts of second-degree assault; three felony counts of second-degree attempted assault; felony driving while intoxicated; misdemeanor third-degree unlawful fleeing; and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

The three injured New York State Police members had non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Preston was arraigned in the Town of Milan Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled back in the Town of Milan Court on March 5.