The New York State Police announced today they charged a drunk senior citizen from Sullivan County with killing a 29 year-old man just three days before his birthday.
On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at approximately 2:00pm, troopers responded to a reported two-car motor vehicle accident on Jeffersonville North Branch Road in the Sullivan County Town of Delaware. Police determined that a 2017 Volkswagen Passat, driven by David Slemmer, age 62 from the Hamlet of Callicoon, was traveling northbound when he crossed into the southbound lane. He reportedly struck a 2022 Chevorlet driven by Erek Cruz, age 29 from the Town of Thompson.
According to reports, a medevac was called to the scene but could not fly due to bad weather.
Slemmer was transported to the hospital with spinal injuries. Cruz was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Today was the worst day of my life,” Cruz’s mother, Ellen Hannold, declared in a statement on the day Slemmer allegedly killed Cruz.
Today would have been Cruz’s 30th birthday. Hannold released balloons this afternoon.
On Wednesday, the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations arrested Slemmer and charged him with Vehicle Manslaughter in the 2nd degree, a felony, as well as Driving While Intoxicated.
Slemmer was arraigned in front of Judge Johnstone in the Town of Liberty Court. He was remanded to Sullivan County Jail in lieu of bail set at $50,000 cash, $75,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled to return to the Town of Liberty Court on October 1, 2022.
