Deadly Intoxicated High-Speed Crash With Semi Leads To Felony Indictment Of Port Jervis Driver: DA

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — A driver involved in a deadly crash following a police chase has been indicted on felony charges.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 25-year-old Liam McNichol, of Port Jervis, was arraigned on Tuesday, on an indictment charging him with aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, three second-degree counts of vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree assualt, and first-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.

The charges are related to an incident in the Town of Newburgh, when McNichol allegedly fled police at a high rate of speed and crashed his vehicle while intoxicated, thereby killing his passenger.

SEE ALSO: Victim, Driver ID'd In Fatal I-84 Crash After Police Chase Called Off

According to court documents, on April 25, around 3:40 a.m., New York State Police troopers saw a vehicle, allegedly driven by McNichol, speeding on Route 9W, in the Town of Newburgh, and attempted to stop the vehicle.

Instead of complying with police, McNichol drove the vehicle onto I-84 and accelerated to speeds of over 110 mph. He attempted to drive between vehicles in each lane, striking one of the vehicles and sending his own vehicle into a roll, which caused his passenger to be ejected.

McNichol then exited his car and tried to flee before being taken into custody.

The passenger died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.

An analysis of McNichol's blood later showed a blood alcohol content of 0.18 percent and the presence of drugs.

At arraignment, bail was set and McNichol was remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail, or $1,000,000 fully secured bond or $1,500,000 partially secured bond and is next scheduled for a conference on Jan. 6.

DA Hoovler thanked state police for their investigation which led to the arrest of McNichol.

"The combination of alcohol, drugs and driving is perilous, criminal and, as is allegedly seen in this case, deadly," Hoovler said. "Our roads are a shared resource and we all rightfully expect to travel free from the presence of impaired or intoxicated drivers. I commend the careful investigation of the New York State Police and we are committed to providing justice on behalf of the victim. We will not cease in our pursuit of vehicular crime, especially those that involve the tragic outcome seen in this case."

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant DA Julie Mohl.