3 Arrested After Intoxicated Driver Crashes ATV On Rail Trail: NYSP

TOWN OF LAGRANGE, NY — Both those involved in a drunken crash, and those who helped hide the evidence are now facing charges, according to state police.

New York State Police say that troopers from Poughkeepsie responded to the Dutchess Rail Trail, in the Town of LaGrange, on June 21, after receiving a report of an ATV crash with injuries.

Once on the scene, troopers found two people injured. The driver was identified as 24-year-old Nicholas J. Hunt, of Putnam Valley; and the passenger was identified as 25-year-old Devon A. Muscat, of Newburgh.

State police say that both received what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Troopers say Hunt was intoxicated at the time of the crash. However, the ATV involved in the crash was not at the scene.

Police then discovered that 25-year-old Justin M. Mooney, of Poughkeepsie, and 26-year-old Cullum R. Pavone, of Wappingers Falls, conspired to remove and hide the ATV, thereby tampering with evidence related to the crash, police said.

Hunt was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, first offense. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of LaGrange Court.

Mooney and Pavone were arrested and charged with felony tampering with physical evidence. In addition, Mooney was charged with misdemeanor making a punishable false written statement.

Mooney and Pavone are scheduled to appear in the Town of LaGrange Court on August 5.