Driver faces felony charges after accident

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A weekend car crash resulted in at least four people suffering injuries and an alleged drunken driver facing felony charges, officials say.

The accident happened just after 2 a.m. Sunday off Olean Street at 16th Street in Schenectady.

A car driven by James P. Jacobs, 26, of 1026 Argo Blvd., ran off Olean into an area filled with brush and trees, according to prosecutor Stephanie Hughes.

Inside the car were four passengers ages 23 to 31 years old, according to papers filed in court.

Three of those hurt in the accident were treated at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, the fourth at Albany Medical Center.

It was unclear if Jacobs was among those injured.

Jacobs is accused of driving drunk in the black Acura RSX and at an erratic speed, causing the accident.

He faces a total of four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, one for each of his passengers. He is accused of recklessly creating “a grave risk of death” to each, according to papers filed in court.

Jacobs faces one count of driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. He also faces one count of misdemeanor reckless driving and a speeding ticket.

Jacobs was arraigned and ordered held on $5,000 bond. He was released Monday afternoon from the jail after posting the bond, jail officials said.