2 Charged after Taconic Parkway Crash in Mount Pleasant

Two Hudson Valley 20-somethings are due in Mount Pleasant Town Court to answer drug and driving charges, state police report.

On Aug. 17, New York State Police from the Hawthorne barracks arrested Santino J. Campanaro, 24, of Yonkers, New York, for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument, all Misdemeanors.

Troopers had been dispatched to investigate a one-car property damage auto collision on the Taconic State Parkway in Mount Pleasant.

Upon arrival, they observed a Lincoln Aviator stopped in the lane of travel.

As they conducted the crash investigation, troopers concluded the operator of the vehicle, identified as Campanaro, was impaired by drugs. They allege Campanaro was also in possession of heroin and a syringe at the time of the crash.

A State Police Drug Recognition Expert evaluated Campanaro, police said.

A passenger in the vehicle, Justin Zambardino, 26, of Wappinger, New York, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree (heroin) and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument, both misdemeanors.

Both were issued appearance tickets returnable to Mount Pleasant Town Court on Sept. 8.