Benjamin Bornhorst (Photo: North Greenbush Police Department)DEFREESTVILLE, N.Y. – A Wynantskill man is accused of driving drunk and striking a pedestrian with a plow Tuesday, police said.
Benjamin Bornhorst, 27, was driving a red Ford F-250 pickup with a plow northbound on Rte. 4 when he hit 53-year-old Steven Ernye of Defreestville in the back, police said. The accident happened shortly before 8:00 p.m. outside the Sunoco gas station just north of Sunset Road when Ernye was walking from a local store to his home.
Bornhorst initially stayed at the scene to ensure the victim received medical attention, police said. He is accused of fleeing once rescuers arrived.
"He pulled away from the scene," North Greenbush Police Chief Rocco Fragomeni said. "Witnesses pointed out the vehicle. Our patrols stopped him about two miles up the street. He initially denied being involved."
Bornhorst failed a field sobriety test, Fragomeni said. Police arrested him on charges of driving while intoxicated, vehicular assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and moving from his designated lane unsafely.
Ernye was transported to Albany Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Fragomeni said Bornhorst is a former Defreestville volunteer firefighter. The fire chief told NEWS10 that Bornhorst had recently moved and left the department.
Police are continuing their investigation into the accident. Anyone who witnessed the scene is urged to call police at 518-283-5323.
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