Driver strikes three cars, house before arrest in Colonie

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

A car slammed into this house Wednesday in Colonie

COLONIE — A motorist barreled down Central Avenue in Colonie Wednesday morning, hitting two vehicles and knocking another on its roof before slamming into a house, police said.

No serious injuries were reported in the incident, despite the car flipping onto a fire hydrant, police spokesman Lt. Robert Winn said.

The driver, identified as Donald M. Bender, 51, of 713 Pearse Road, Niskayuna, had to be sedated in an ambulance on his way to Albany Medical Center, after he punched at least one bystander and continued to act out after officers arrived, Winn said.

Police continued to investigate the incident into Wednesday afternoon but initially determined Bender was on drugs and charged him with driving under the influence, a misdemeanor. Further charges are expected, Winn said.

The crashes happened at about 10:30 a.m., as Bender headed east on Central, Winn said. His vehicle first struck a flatbed truck towing a vehicle. That driver reported no injuries, Winn said. Bender then struck a minivan. The driver of that car reported back pain and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The third car he struck flipped onto its roof near the Days Inn. The woman in that car reported no injuries, Winn said.

Colonie Police say 51 year old Donald Bender was charged with driving under the influence of drugs when he struck other vehicles and slammed into a home on Central Ave. MORE: https://t.co/66EfG3mUrv pic.twitter.com/y8nMxjT1tO

— CBS 6 Albany – WRGB (@CBS6Albany) June 27, 2018

Bender continued on for about a block before driving into the foundation of a house near Breeman Street, just missing a gas line, Winn said. Residents were home at the time but were not injured. The car punched through the foundation and partially entered the basement, Winn said.

Winn described Bender as “highly agitated.” He initially reported shoulder pain but also attacked bystanders, and struck one in the face, police said. He continued to fight with police officers. Winn initially indicated Bender grabbed an officer’s arm, injuring her. She was taken to Albany Medical Center, treated and released, Winn said.

Bender remained in the emergency room late Wednesday afternoon and was expected to be admitted, Winn said.

The Colonie rollover crash was one of three to happen in the area in a short period of time Wednesday. Rollover crashes also happened late Wednesday morning on Interstate 890 in Schenectady and on Balltown Road near the Rexford Bridge in Niskayuna.

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