COEYMANS, N.Y. - Police are one step closer to solving the mystery crash in the town of Coeymans early Sunday morning, when a white Chevy SUV slammed into a vacant building on State Route 143.
There was no one inside the vehicle or at the scene when police first arrived, but Tuesday afternoon 25-year-old Jeff Lukens was arrested.
Lukens was silent as he walked into court, pleading not guilty to a felony count of insurance fraud and four misdemeanors, including leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, criminal mischief, offering a false instrument and obstructing governmental administration.
Police say Lukens allegedly led police in the wrong direction during their investigation saying the vehicle was stolen and he was not the driver.
He turned himself in Tuesday night after police investigated for two days since Lukens, the registered owner of the vehicle, denied driving the car and reported it as stolen.
After court, Lukens' father briefly spoke with NEWS10 outside of court. "I'm glad my son's alive," he says. "He does have to work this out, he's 25-years-old and he's liable for what he's done."
When asked if he would support him though this, Lukens responded, "Of course, he's my son."
Coeyman's Chief of Police Gregory Darlington says he has no reason to believe Lukens' father is involved in any way.
Chief Darlington says they are also investigating who the passenger in Lukens' vehicle was, but that person will likely not be charged.
"As a passenger in a car, the law does not require you to report it, it requires the driver and the owner to report it," says Chief Darlington.
Chief Darlington attributes the cause of the crash to unreasonable speed, but says the investigation is still ongoing as to Lukens' whereabouts that night.
"The extent of damage to that car, I am amazed of the minimal injuries he sustained," says Chief Darlington.
Lukens was released to his father after paying $1,000 cash bail.
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