Cops: Man Charged with DWI Crashed Car, Drove on Rims

A 41-year-old Jefferson Valley man is facing a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated following an accident on Stone Hill Road in Bedford, officials say.

Bedford Police arrested Richard A. Gogola at about 1:55 a.m. April 19.

Officers located him behind the wheel of a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, which they say crashed into a stone wall and sustained major front-end damage. A caller reported the accident, and said the vehicle was driving on its rims, according to police.

Gogola—whose eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and who smelled of alcoholic beverage—refused to answer officers' questions during a traffic stop, Lt. Jeffrey Dickan told Patch. 

In addition to the misdemeanor charge, authorities charged Gogola with two violations: leaving the scene of an accident and refusing a pre-screen test. He was released pending a May 2 appearance in Bedford Justice Court.

Editor's note: Bedford Police provided this information. It does not indicate a conviction.