WILTON, N.Y. -- State Police say the driver involved in a multi-county police chase Monday night, who wrecked his vehicle on the Northway in Wilton, is now facing charges.
Police say the pursuit began after troopers in the Dutchess County town of Lagrange were dispatched to the report of a domestic dispute between the defendant 22-year-old Matthew Ripo and his ex-girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend stated that Ripo was intoxicated and during the course of the dispute between the two of them he attempted to run her over with his vehicle and made suicidal comments.
Around 9:40 p.m. Monday, Ripo was located driving his truck north on the Taconic Parkway in Columbia County. Troopers attempted to stop him and he failed to comply to pull over.
The 35-minute vehicle pursuit continued, at some point with Ripo driving at high speeds without his headlights on, until Ripo crashed his truck the Northway in the Saratoga County town of Wilton.
Police say the pursuit went on for 60 miles, ending just after 10:00 p.m. and spanned portions of the Taconic State Parkway, I-90, I-787, Route 7, and the Northway.
Police say Ripo was pinned under the vehicle, which had overturned, for a period of time after the crash. He was extricated and then airlifted to Albany Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries which included a broken arm and serious burns to his shoulder and arm.
The accident also caused a small fire, but troopers said it was immediately extinguished.
The northbound lanes of the Northway between Exits 15 and 16 were closed for several hours while State Police reconstructed the accident scene.
Ripo faces numerous charges including Reckless Endangerment, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd-degree, Driving While Intoxicated and multiple vehicle and traffic law violations upon his release from the hospital.
The vehicle involved lies overturned off the northbound lanes of I-87 in Wilton (IPA)
Authorities on scene of the crash (IPA)
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