Albany County District Attorney's Office: Sentencing For Driver Who Crashed Into Colonie Home

Press release from Albany County District Attorney's Office:

July 27, 2021

ALBANY, NY – Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares announced that DONALD BENDER, 54, of Schenectady was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in State Prison before the Honorable Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court this morning. BENDER was previously found guilty after a jury trial of (1) Count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, as a Class D Felony.

On June 27, 2018, members of the Colonie Police responded to a multi-vehicle collision on Central Avenue. An investigation uncovered that BENDER was speeding down Central Avenue when he rear-ended, and became partially lodged in, a vehicle that was being towed by a flatbed.

Eye witnesses testified at trial that they observed BENDER jerk his vehicle, “rev” his engine, and dislodge his vehicle before accelerating down the street swerving again in traffic. BENDER then rear-ended a mini-van, in a manner described by witnesses as “smashing into” while “trying to move it out of the way.” The mini-van had to veer into the center lane to let BENDER pass.

Approximately 50 feet further, BENDER approached a Nissan Altima and started blaring on his car horn while driving erratically. BENDER then rear-ended the Altima causing it to roll over onto a fire hydrant. Then, BENDER lost control of his vehicle, cut through a lawn, and crashed into a house at a speed of 57 miles per hour. The crash occurred with such force that the vehicle’s entire engine compartment entered the home.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Wetmore handled the prosecution of this case.

For more information please contact Cecilia Walsh at (518) 275-4710 or cecilia.walsh@albanycountyny.gov

This press release was produced by Albany County District Attorney's Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.