Garnerville Man Faces Drug Charge After Exit Ramp Crash

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A Garnerville man was arrested after a car crash occurred in front of a patrol car on New Hempstead Road at 9:25 p.m. Thursday. The collision injured three children, who were taken to Westchester Medical Center.

Joseph C. Stovenken, 31, faces a charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco announced.

The accident occurred in front of a Sheriff's patrol officer at the intersection of New Hempstead and the Palisades Interstate Parkway exit 11 ramp. The officer said he watched a pick-up truck pass through a steady red light and hit a mini-van with six occupants.

Three of the passengers (all juveniles) were taken by ambulance to Westchester Medical Center. The extent of their injuries is not known at this time, police said.

Stovenken was the driver of the pickup, police said. He seemed disoriented and complained of an arm injury at the scene. He was taken to Nyack Hospital.

In Stovenken’s truck and on his person were narcotics which are believed to be Xanax, police said. He was charged with possession and toxicology will determine if there are any other charges to follow.

Stovenken was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Ramapo Justice Court on June 24.