Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, July 16, Chauncey Smith, 23, of Pine Bush, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison relative to his previous plea of guilty in Orange County Court to Aggravated Vehicular Assault for crashing his vehicle into another car while impaired by marijuana. The teenaged victim, who was paralyzed as a result of the crash, spoke at sentencing about the impact the defendant’s crime had on his life.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on August 14, 2023, Smith was operating a motor vehicle westbound on State Route 17K in the Town of Newburgh. Smith’s vehicle crossed over the double yellow line dividing traffic and he collided head-on into a vehicle that was travelling eastbound. As a result, a 15-year-old inside the other vehicle sustained injuries which resulted in the child being rendered paralyzed. Another occupant of the victims’ vehicle sustained serious physical injury. Smith admitted to the police that he had smoked marijuana, and a subsequent analysis of his blood confirmed the presence of marijuana. At the plea proceedings, Smith admitted to recklessly driving his vehicle while impaired by the consumption of marijuana and that he caused serious physical injury to two people.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Smith. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the New York State Police for their assistance in the investigation.
“The lives of the innocent victims in this case were unfairly altered as a result of the defendant’s selfish actions,” said Hoovler. “This case highlights the devastating consequences of drug-impaired driving. I cannot stress enough that drugs and alcohol are dangerous and deadly companions to driving. My office will continue to vigorously pursue justice for victims of vehicular crimes, and such behavior will not be tolerated in our community.”
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Julie Mohl.