POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie Common Council Chairperson Sarah Salem has a new trial date for her DWI arrest that occurred on February 26, 2020. Salem’s arrest followed a car accident on Main Street in which Salem was allegedly driving drunk and struck another vehicle, injuring the other motorist.
The case was in the early stages when the COVID pandemic struck, shutting down the court system, and delaying the case from being prosecuted.
When the courts reopened, the case slowly resumed, including her arraignment and evidentiary hearings.
Assistant District Attorney Ryan LeGrady and Salem’s attorney, Steven Patterson, were scheduled to pick a jury for the City of Poughkeepsie Court case on Monday, June 13th. The case was once again delayed until Wednesday, June 15, 2022, due to a COVID issue within the defense team.
On Friday, June 17, the court indicated that the Salem DWI trial will begin on September 19, 2022.
This DWI charge is Salem’s second arrest for driving under the influence. The leader of the Poughkeepsie Common Council was previously arrested on a DWI charge in Wappingers Falls. The charge was reduced and Salem was convicted of a DWAI offense.
