On Saturday, 76-year-old Ruth Defazio of Bethel crashed a 2003 Ford Thunderbird into 6 other vehicles on Rte. 17B in Bethel, according to a State Police press release. Defazio was high on prescription pain medication at the time of the crash, the police allege. Only minor injuries were reported.
According to the Times Herald-Record, Defazio had been prescribed the pain medication.
Here's the full press release from the State Police:
Liberty Troopers arrest Bethel woman for DWAI-Drugs following seven car accident on 17B.
On June 25th, 2011, Liberty Troopers arrest Ruth Defazio a 76 year old resident of Bethel, NY for driving while ability impaired by drugs. Troopers responded to a seven car motor vehicle accident on State Rt 17B in Sullivan County. Investigation revealed the operator of a 2003 Ford Thunderbird was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck another vehicle that was moving in the same direction, causing both vehicle to collide with five parked vehicles. The operator was found to be under the influence of prescription medication and arrested. Defazio was transported to CRMC with minor injuries.
