Troopers: Driver drunk in head-on December 890 crash in Schenectady, charged; Other driver seriously hurt

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Schenectady firefighters work to free a driver on scene Dec. 29.

SCHENECTADY – A Rensselaer man drove drunk and without a license when he drove the wrong way down Interstate 890 last month and slammed into another car, state police said Saturday.

The crash sent the driver of the other car to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries, state police have said.

Charged was Colin S. Rochelle, 38, of Rensselaer. He faces one count each of felony driving while intoxicated due to a previous felony and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, as well as two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, one each related to his prior DWI conviction and lack of license, troopers said.

Rochelle turned himself in Saturday, troopers said.

Rochelle is accused of driving drunk east down the westbound lanes at about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 28 when he struck a car driven by Brittnei McFadden head-on between exits 6 and 7, state police have said.

McFadden suffered serious injuries in the crash. Rochelle was taken to Ellis Hospital for injuries.

Rochelle was processed and taken to the Schenectady County Jail pending arraignment.

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