A Binghamton, NY, teenager faces vehicular homicide charges after an Aug. 22 rollover crash claimed the life of a teenage girl in New Milford Twp.
On the scene, police observed the juvenile victim with serious injuries. She was life-flighted to Guthrie Robert Packer in Sayre, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
The ATV driver, Craig Slocum, was traveling too fast for conditions when the crash occurred, according to the affidavit filed by police in New Milford District Court.
Slocum was traveling south on Gunn road, and continuing east on Upper Montrose Road in New Milford Twp. The ATV was going to fast to negotiate a downhill left curve, traveled off the road and struck a traffic sign. The vehicle continued along the roadway and struck a tree, then overturned as it went down an embankment.
Slocum told police he was riding ATVs with a group of friends – three ATVs in total – and heading to a residence in New Milford. He said he was following the other two ATVs, but passed one that had pulled over to the side of the road due to the dust kicked up from the lead vehicle.
According to the affidavit, Slocum chose to not wait for the dust to clear and experienced low visibility as he approached the crash site but was traveling faster than he should have with the road conditions. He told police that after striking the sign he did not remember anything until he landed on the embankment with his passenger. Slocum said he pulled the victim up the embankment to the roadway to wait for emergency services.
At the time of the crash, police said Slocum did not have a valid driver’s license. Investigators also noted that neither the accused, nor the victim, were wearing helmets.
In addition to homicide by vehicle, Slocum was also charged with accidents involving death or injury while not licensed; involuntary manslaughter; recklessly endangering another person; and aggravated assault by vehicle.
He is scheduled to appear in New Milford District Court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 16.
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