GILL — A 64-year-old Orange man was arrested on drunken driving-related charges after State Police say he fled the scene of an accident in Gill Sunday.
Steven Ernest Babineau’s blood alcohol content was 0.19 percent — more than twice the legal limit — after police located and arrested him. He was arraigned in Greenfield District Court Tuesday.
According to a report by State Police Trooper Shawn LeBlanc, police were dispatched to a rear-end crash at the intersection of Route 2 and Main Road in Gill on Sunday at 1:55 p.m. One of the vehicles — a 2012 gray Honda coupe — had reportedly fled the scene and was heading west on Route 2.
When state police caught up with the car in Greenfield, troopers were met with a strong odor of alcohol as they approached the vehicle. The driver, identified as Babineau, appeared confused and had red, glossy, watery eyes and soft, slurred speech, according to the report. He told LeBlanc he was fine after the crash, and the trooper noted the car had minor damage to the front bumper.
One occupant of the other vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet pickup, was treated for back injuries on scene.
Babineau told police he only had one beer that morning, according to the report. However, LeBlanc wrote that Babineau was unable to complete any tasks when given a field sobriety test, and was taken into custody.
He was arraigned on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, leaving the scene of personal injury and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. He was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court Sept. 28 for a pretrial conference