New York Trooper Dragged by Vehicle by Fleeing Fugitive
RHINEBECK, New York -- A New York State Police sergeant was dragged by a vehicle driven by a fugitive that he was pursuing Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. and ended in the arrests of Nicholas Antunano and Anothony Delfino, according to The Mid-Hudson News.
Troop K Sergeant Gregory Lischak was on patrol when he attempted to stop a Hyundai sedan for a traffic violation. The traffic stop occurred near the intersection of NYS Route 9G and Violet Hill Road. Lischak determined that the driver, 23-year-old Antunano, was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Town of Poughkeepsie.
The trooper then attempted to take Antunano into custody when the man abruptly drove away, dragging him approximately 600 feet. Additional troopers responded to Lischak’s call for assistance and a short time later, the vehicle was located in the Village of Rhinebeck. The driver refused to stop and police gave chase. The two occupants eventually exited the vehicle and attempted to run away but were apprehended by police.
The passenger in the initial stop was taken into custody and identified as 24-year-old Delfino. The preliminary investigation determined that while Delfino was the passenger in the vehicle during the initial traffic stop, he was the driver when being pursued by State Police into the village of Rhinebeck. Police located Antunano a short time later at Northern Dutchess Hospital.
Delfino was arrested and charged with unlawful fleeing, driving while intoxicated and numerous traffic violations. He was processed without incident and released. Antunano was arrested and charged with Assault, Unlawful Fleeing, Driving While Intoxicated, and traffic violations. He was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
Lischak suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital and released.
