Thruway Chase Ends At Closed Toll Booth, Pearl River Man Charged

A Pearl River man accused of leading state police on a chase up the Thruway Wednesday night faces several charges in Orange County.

State police received several reports of an erratic operator traveling northbound on I-87 in the town of Tuxedo around 9:45 p.m. April 3. Troopers attempted to pull the vehicle after observing multiple vehicle and traffic violations, but the driver failed to comply and a four-mile pursuit ensued.

After the driver entered the Harriman Tolls through a closed lane, striking several cones, officers were able to stop the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Joseph E. Lyons, 48, of Pearl River, NY, was determined to be intoxicated and taken into custody. Lyons was transported to State Police offices in Newburgh where he refused to give a breath sample and was charged with the following:

• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd degree; a Class A Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving; an Unclassified Misdemeanor
• Driving While Intoxicated; an Unclassified Misdemeanor
• Resisting Arrest; a Class A Misdemeanor
• Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd degree; a Class A Misdemeanor
• Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree; a Class A Misdemeanor
• Several Vehicle and Traffic Violations

Lyons was arraigned before the Town of Woodbury Court and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $3,000 bond. A return court date of May 7 has been set.