On Saturday night, New York State Police arrested 30-year-old Michael Cappiello for a strange accident in Spring Glen in Wawarsing that involved a pickup truck, alcohol, and three teenagers.
In a press release, the State Police charge that Cappiello was moving furniture in a pickup truck while three teenagers, ages 13, 15 and 16, were riding in the back. Cappiello, who was allegedly drunk and lacking a valid driver's license, apparently didn't notice when first one, and then two of the teens fell off the back of the truck:
While operating the truck one of the children fell out of the truck and struck his head on the roadway, a second child attempting to assist the first also fell from the truck and struck his head. The third child yelled to CAPPIELLO to stop the vehicle.
After that, the State Police say, Cappiello stopped the vehicle, unloaded the furniture, and then drove away, leaving the two injured teens behind.
The full press release is below:
The New York State Police at Ellenville announce the arrest of MICHAEL J. CAPPIELLO, age 30, of 36 Maple Trail, Wurtsboro N.Y. for Vehicular Assault 1st a class D felony, Aggravated DWI: Child in the Vehicle a Felony (Leandra’s Law), Leaving the scene of a Serious Personal Injury Automobile Accident a Felony, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 1st a Felony, Reckless Endangerment 2nd a class A Misdemeanor, Vehicle and Traffic violations, and other charges are pending.
On September 18, 2010 members of the State Police at SP Ellenville had received a report to assist EMS regarding an accident that occurred in Spring Glen NY. Responding members learned that CAPPIELLO was moving furniture with his pick-up truck. In the back of the pick-up were three children ages 13, 15 & 16. While operating the truck one of the children fell out of the truck and struck his head on the roadway, a second child attempting to assist the first also fell from the truck and struck his head. The third child yelled to CAPPIELLO to stop the vehicle. CAPPIELLO stopped the vehicle immediately removed the furniture from the truck and fled the scene. With the assistance of members from State Police at SP Wurtsboro and Ulster County Sheriff’s Department, CAPPIELLO was apprehended a short time later and arrested. The defendant was arraigned in the Town of Wawarsing Court before Town Justice Charles Dechon and remanded to the Ulster County Jail on $1000.00 cash bail or $2500.00 bond. The defendant’s next court appearance is on September 24, 2010 at 8:30 AM in the Town of Wawarsing Court.
