VanEps and
his mangled Jeep
TOWN OF BETHEL – A state trooper and an Eldred man were injured on the evening of Tuesday, October 2 when Jesse VanEps, 18, who was driving toward the trooper’s vehicle and crashed into it head-on.
Both VanEps and the trooper, Brandon Smith, assigned to the Roscoe barracks, were treated at Catskill Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.
VanEps was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs.
Police investigation found that VanEps was westbound on Route 55 as Trooper Smith was driving eastbound. VanEps’ SUV drifted into the officer’s lane. The officer took evasive action but was unable to avoid the crash.
