YORKTOWN, N.Y. — A Cortlandt Manor man is facing felony DWI charges after his drunk driving led to two separate car accidents last summer.
Yorktown Police arrested 62-year-old Vasel Balbona on Thursday, Jan. 16 after he turned himself in and charged him in connection with the two crashes.
Police said on Tuesday, Jan. 21 that during the late morning of July 24, 2024, it received a report of a two-car accident on Route 118. The department also received a report of a second accident nearby, on Route 100, by the intersection with Route 118. According to police, Balbona was identified as the driver of the vehicle involved in both accidents.
After an accident investigation, the department said that Balbona was traveling on Route 100 when he struck another vehicle from behind and fled the scene of that accident on Route 118. Then, police said that Balbona failed to maintain his lane and drove left of the pavement markings, entering the other side of the road and colliding with another vehicle.
Further investigation found that Balbona was driving with a revoked license due to prior DWI convictions. In addition, he was driving a vehicle without an interlock device —a breathalyzer installed in a vehicle that prevents it from starting if the driver is intoxicated — as required by law. Police alleged Balbona was driving while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of .18 percent —nearly twice the legal limit.
Police told Yorktown News that Balbona, who was extricated from the vehicle by the Yorktown Fire Department, was not arrested at the time of the accident because he had to be immediately transported to the hospital for life-threatening injuries.
Balbona is facing multiple charges which include driving while intoxicated with two prior convictions, a class D felony; aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or more with two prior convictions, a class D felony; first degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a class E felony; operating a vehicle without an interlock installed, a misdemeanor; land three traffic infractions: leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failed to use a designated lane and driving to left of pavement markings.
After his arrest, Balbona was arraigned and remanded to the Westchester County Jail without bail. He’s due to appear in the Yorktown Justice Court at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6.
A 51-year-old Mount Vernon man is facing two class A misdemeanor charges after trying to shoplift from Dick’s Sporting Goods in the JV Mall on Jan. 21.
According to YPD, the suspect walked out of Dick’s with a Yeti cooler valued at $450. After failing to pay for the item, he was found with the stolen item outside 24 Hour Fitness by police. He was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor and criminal possession of stolen property, a class A misdemeanor.
He was issued appearance tickets and released on his own recognizance. He’s due to appear in the Yorktown Justice Court at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6.
A teenage boy is facing an assault charge after he was arrested for a domestic dispute on Jan. 8.
YPD said the 17-year-old Yorktown resident was involved in a physical altercation and after an investigation he was charged with assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor and issued a family court appearance ticket. He was then transported to a secure detention facility and was due to appear in family court earlier this month, on Jan. 9.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here