Driver Pleads Guilty To DWI, Vehicular Assault In Pedestrian Collision

KINGSTON, NY — A motorist who hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk in December 2023 in Ellenville has pleaded guilty to felony vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.

Joseph Jensen, 56, of White Plains, entered the plea on Friday in a proceeding before Judge Bryan E. Rounds, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s office.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 19.

The accident happened on Dec. 27, 2023. Jensen was driving northbound on Route 209 at 11:45 p.m. in Ellenville when he hit a 54-year-old female pedestrian in a crosswalk at the intersection of Center Street, according to prosecutors.

The woman was critically injured and rushed to Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown. The woman survived, but required an extended period of rehabilitation, prosecutors said. Jensen had an open container of alcohol in his vehicle and failed field sobriety tests, according to the district attorney’s office.

District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said the office is committed to “vigorously prosecuting vehicular crimes” to improve road safety.

Attorney Edward Bruno, who is representing Jensen, could not be reached for comment.