Orange County Man Faces DWI Charge After Almost Striking Deputy

CAMPBELL HALL, NY — An Orange County was accused of drunken driving and almost striking an on-duty sheriff’s deputy.

The New York State Police said, around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, troopers, along with a deputy from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, were assisting a tractor-trailer on Route 207 in Campbell Hall that was disabled at the train trestle.

Police said the deputy was directing traffic when a Toyota Corolla operated by Robert Garton, 54, of the town of Chester, was seen illegally passing stopped vehicles and failing to stop at the deputy’s request almost striking him.

Garton then put his car in reverse and began traveling east on 207 when he was stopped by troopers, according to authorities.

While being interviewed by troopers, it was determined that Garton was impaired by alcohol, police said.

He was arrested and taken to the state police barracks in Montgomery.

Garton had a blood alcohol content of 0.11 percent, police said.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated and issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Hamptonburgh Court Feb. 20.