Erratic Driver Charged After Officer Forces Stop In Crash

CLARKSTOWN, NY — A Clarkstown police officer put himself in harm's way to stop a car that was swerving into oncoming traffic on Route 9W Wednesday.

Calls about someone in a silver Toyota driving erratically sent police to Valley Cottage at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The first arriving officers activated emergency lights and attempted to pull over the Toyota
SUV near Lake Road, but said the driver refused to comply, instead speeding north at about 25 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Police said they watched the driver swerving from the shoulder all the way over into oncoming traffic, nearly striking several vehicles.

A second patrol car activated its emergency lights, which were also ignored.

After observing the driver nearly strike several more vehicles in the southbound lane, an officer maneuvered his patrol car into position in front of the Toyota, causing a rear-end collision that stopped both.

The officer whose vehicle was struck sustained minor injuries. The driver of the Toyota was placed under arrest.

Investigating officers saw two glassine envelopes on the SUV's passenger seat.

Manuel Perez was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor); driving while ability impaired drugs 1 (misdemeanor); and several NYS Vehicle and Traffic infractions.

Perez, a Congers resident, was released on an appearance ticket and is due to return to Clarkstown Justice Court Feb. 23.