A high speed chase that began in Fort Covington, New York, ended dramatically in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. According to New York State Troop B Public Information Officer, Jennifer V. Fleishman,  the driver of the vehicle, Christopher A. Lee, 27, of Bangor, was arrested and taken into custody. Lee was charged with Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest, DWAI Drugs, two counts of Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, as well as ticketed for numerous traffic violations.
Lee was arraigned in the Town of Bombay Court where he was remanded to the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, or $40,000 bond. He is to reappear on October 11, 2016, at 5 p.m.
Details of the pursuit were release by New York State Police based on their account — On October 3, 2016, at approximately 3:28 p.m. State Police initiated a traffic stop on State Route 37 in the town of Fort Covington approximately six miles east of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, on a 2007 Dodge minivan. The vehicle failed to stop and sped away from troopers.
After a pursuit on Route 37, the vehicle lost control and exited the north shoulder of the road just east of Cook Road, and struck a 2008 Chevrolet operated by Levi M. Swamp, 47, of Awkesasne, which was parked in the parking lot of Truck Stop #9 in the town of Bombay. The force of the collision caused Swamp’s vehicle to strike a cement pillar at the gas pumps and a large flower pot. The suspect vehicle was then struck from behind by State Police patrol vehicle 1B42 and continued westbound striking a 2007 Dodge, operated by Louise C. White, 31, of Awkesasne, which was stopped at the stop sign on Cook Road.
A 2011 Dodge, operated by Sara R. Besaw, 39, of Bombay, was stopped behind White’s vehicle on Cook Road and was struck by the flower pot. The operator of the suspect vehicle, Christopher A. Lee, 27, of Bangor, fled on foot and was taken into custody by State Police and a Tribal Police member after a short foot pursuit.
White and Swamp were transported to Massena Memorial Hospital where they were treated for minor pain and released. Lee and Trooper James T. Egan were not injured.
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and Akwesasne’s first responders assisted State Police at the scene. Tribal Police were not involved in the pursuit, this according to Chief of Police Matthew Rourke, who confirmed that Tribal Police were contacted after the pursuit ensued, but by the time they responded, the vehicle was already by the Mohawk Casino and the incident at #9 Truck Stop occurred within moments.
This investigation is still pending.
ATV Staff.
