A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
The aftermath of the white van crashing into Swamp's vehicle that was parked waiting to exit #9. Both cars spun backwards with the white van moving on and crashing into another vehicle stopped at the Cook Road stop sign. (Facebook)
Christopher Lee (Facebook)
In photo #1, looking under "2016", the NYS Police car appears to be making direct contact to the rear end of the white van. (Facebook)
In photo #2, it appears the white van starts to spin, turning towards the stopped vehicle in the parking lot. (Facebook)
Point of impact in front of Truckstop #9. (Facebook)
On October 3, 2016, at approximately 3:28 p.m. NYS Police initiated a traffic stop on a 2007 Dodge minivan on State Route 37 in the town of Fort Covington. The vehicle failed to stop and sped away from troopers. The operator was later identified as Christopher Lee, 27, of Bangor, NY.
NYS Troopers pursued the 2007 Dodge minivan traveling west on Route 37. Upon reaching Akwesasne and just before the entrance of Truck Stop #9 gas station, the state trooper appears to push his driver's side bumper from the shoulder of the highway into the rear passenger's side quarter panel of Lee's van at 5 seconds of a released security video footage. This action appears to cause the white van to lose control and collide into a 2008 Chevrolet which was waiting to exit the parking lot.
The New York State Police press release states, "After a brief pursuit, the vehicle lost control and exited the north shoulder of the road..."
Multiple videos were released but none were clear enough to confirm if Lee allegedly "lost control" or if a Precision Immobilization Technique was used by the trooper.
The 2008 Chevrolet was operated by Levi M. Swamp, 47, of Akwesasne. The force of the collision caused Swamp's vehicle to strike a cement pillar at the gas pumps and a large flowerpot.
Lee's vehicle then continued across the most southern part of the parking lot backwards crossing the intersection of Cook Road and Route 37. Lee then struck a 2007 Dodge, operated by Louise C. White, 31, of Akwesasne, who was stopped at the stop sign on Cook Road.
Lee's vehicle then appears to be struck again from behind by what is identified as NY State Police patrol vehicle 1B42, driven by Trooper James T. Egan. At this point the NY State Police patrol vehicle 1B42 continued westbound striking a 2011 Dodge, operated by Sara R. Besaw, 39, of Bombay. Besaw was stopped behind White's vehicle on Cook Road and was struck by the flowerpot.
Lee fled on foot and was taken into custody by State Police and a Tribal Police officer shortly after.
Both Swamp and White were released from the Massena Memorial Hospital after being treated for minor pain. NYS Trooper James T. Egan and Christopher Lee were not injured.
Lee was charged with Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest, DWAI Drugs, two counts of Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, as well driving to left of pavement, equipment violations, failure to keep right, failure to obey police, moved from lane unsafely, reckless driving, reckless endangerment – 2nd degree, resisting arrest, seat belt violation, speed violation – excess speed zone, speed violation – speed in zone, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.
Though State Police have Lee listed as residing in Bangor, NY, he allegedly resides on Jock Road, Akwesasne.
Lee was arraigned in the Town of Bombay Court where he was remanded to the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, or $40,000 bond. He is to reappear on October 11, 2016, at 5 p.m.
According to the NYS Police records, this investigation is still pending.
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