Accused drunk driver crashes car into ditch in Stillwater

STILLWATER, N.Y. -- An accident in the town of Stillwater in which a vehicle ended in a ditch has resulted in the arrest of the driver on a variety of felony charges, including reckless driving, speeding, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Stillwater Police responded to a 911 call yesterday at around 7:45 p.m. reporting an accident with injuries on Colonial Road. Officers arrived at the scene to find a vehicle on its side in the ditch and against a utility pole. 

The driver and the passenger were already out of the vehicle, which was heavily damaged from the high-speed impact, said police.  

The driver, 43-year-old Todd Tillinghast of Mechanicville, tried to flee the scene but was stopped by an off-duty police officer, said Stillwater police.

Tillinghast was later taken into custody for DWI. He declined medical attention at the scene, and was transported to the Stillwater Police Department where he refused to submit to a breath test. 

The passengers declined medical attention at the scene and was released after being interviewed.

Tillinghast was arrested on felony charges of DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and on a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.

He was also ticketed for imprudent speed, failure to keep right, and failure to submit to a breath test. 

The felony DWI charges stems from previous DWI convictions in 2001 and in 2008. His license had also been suspended, said police.

Tillinghast was sent to Saratoga County Jail on $20,000 cash bail.