Prison For 42-Year-Old In DWI Crash That Left Victim Seriously Injured

TOWN OF WARWICK, NY — A drunken driver who seriously hurt another motorist is headed to prison.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 42-year-old Michael Falkena, of Sparrowbush, was sentenced last week to three to six years in prison after his previous plea of guilty to first-degree vehicular assault.

According to court documents, on December 28, 2023, Town of Warwick police officers responded to a multiple car crash on County Highway 1. Once on the scene, they found several cars with damage and found Falkena's vehicle in the middle of the road, across both lanes of travel.

The officers noticed tell-tale signs of intoxication while speaking with Falkena, who later admitted to blacking out during the collision. Witnesses told police that Falkena had driven into the opposite lane of travel and struck other vehicles.

One of the occupants of a car that was hit had to be taken to a hospital where she had surgery for her internal injuries.

An analysis of Falkena's blood showed that his blood alcohol content was 0.20 percent, which is two and a half times the legal limit.

During plea proceedings, Falkena admitted to driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal limit and thereby causing another person serious physical injury.

The district attorney thanked the Town of Warwick Police Department whose investigation
led to the arrest of Falkena.

"Intoxicated driving is a conscious, reckless and dangerous choice," Hoovler said. "This defendant's criminal conduct caused serious and protracted injury to an innocent individual. Incidents such as this one are not accidents, they are serious crimes and perpetrators need to be held accountable. I hope that this case serves as a warning to those inclined to make the same senseless choice made by the defendant in this case. My Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of drunk and drugged drivers, particularly in those cases that result in injury.”