Hudson Valley Man Hits Trooper In Head With Cell Phone: NYSP

WALLKILL, NY — A Dutchess County man was accused of assaulting a state trooper after being charged with driving while intoxicated.

The New York State Police said, around 11 p.m. Thursday, troopers were sent to the Wallkill Rest Area off Interstate 84 westbound in the town of Wallkill for a report of a single vehicle crash.

When they arrived, they found a 2013 Honda Civic parked in a handicapped parking spot with a flat tire.

The man standing next to the car was identified as David D. Clarke, 32, of Beacon.

Police said he was intoxicated and originally denied he was driving the car.

However, while speaking with the troopers, Clarke admitted driving the car, police said.

He was taken into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.

Troopers took Clarke to the Montgomery barracks, and while there, he was allowed to make a call using his cell phone.

Police said, at the end of the call, he refused to put the phone down and became combative.

Clarke intentionally struck a trooper in the head above his left eye with his cell phone, police said, causing the trooper pain, swelling and blurred vision.

Police said he continued to resist and fight troopers during processing. He was eventually subdued.

In addition to drunken driving, Clarke was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and obstruction of governmental administration and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanors.

He was arraigned in the City of Newburgh Court and sent to the Orange County Jail in lieu of bail.