Rockland Man Faces Felony Charges After Crash On NY State Thruway

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A Sloatsburg man faces felony drunk-driving charges in Ramapo after a one-car crash on the New York State Thruway in Rockland County.

The crash took place at 2 p.m. Sunday, New York State police said. According to their preliminary investigation, Robert J. Rykowski, 58, lost control of a 2012 Volvo S60 while traveling north and struck the center barrier.

Rykowski was not injured. He was taken into custody, transported, and processed at state police offices in Tarrytown where his blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.21 percent.

Police said he had a suspended license and, additionally, had a prior DWI conviction within the last 10 years and is required to operate a vehicle with an ignition interlock device.

As a result, Rykowski was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st degree; all Class E Felonies; and Operating a Motor Vehicle with No Ignition Interlock Device; a Class A Misdemeanor.

He was released to a sober third party with appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Ramapo Court on Feb. 24.