Balltown Road in Niskayuna reopens after crash

PHOTOGRAPHER: Miles Reed

Traffic Tuesday morning on the Rexford Bridge.

NISKAYUNA — A crash on Balltown Road early Tuesday snapped a utility pole and shut the major commuting artery through much of the morning.

The road was reopened in both directions by 11 a.m..

The crash happened just before 2:30 a.m., near Environment One, south of the traffic circle. The driver fled before police arrived, but authorities soon caught up with him at his home in Round Lake, Deputy Niskayuna Police Chief Michael Stevens said.

Police found him through the car’s owner, a relative of his girlfriend, Stevens said. The man, Devin Foster, 23, admitted to driving and had an injury that was consistent with those caused by seat belts in motor vehicle crashes, Stevens said.

Foster’s address wasn’t immediately available.

It was unclear to police how Foster safely exited the car, which was surrounded by downed utility wires, Stevens said.

Police said they do not suspect alcohol or drug involvement, as they located him quickly and found no indication of impairment, Stevens said.

Foster was driving without a license and admitted to using a cellphone at the time of the crash, Stevens said. Police ticketed him for both of those infractions, along with imprudent speed and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. He was released to answer the charges at a later date.