Griffin
KINGSTON – A Shandaken man, who was involved in a two-car crash
on Route 28 in Shokan on August 25, 2015, has been charged with vehicular
manslaughter and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Investigation revealed that a 2001 Toyota Sienna minivan was being driven
by Danny Griffin, 32, of Shandaken. He was driving westbound when his
vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a 2008 Subaru Imprezza
being driven by Dolores Falkowski head on. The 64-year-old Phoenicia woman
died on the way to the hospital. Griffin was also taken to the Health
Alliance Hospital in Kingston for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Following an investigation by State Police BCI and the Ulster County District
Attorney’s Office, it was determined that Griffin had been driving
under the influence of Fentanyl, an opiate-derived controlled substance
50 times more powerful than heroin.
Police found a large number of used hypodermic needles, heroin, and pipes
used to smoke crack cocaine inside his vehicle.
The case was presented to a grand jury, which indicted him.
He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail.
