Tupper Lake man arrested after early-morning crash leads to aggravated DWI charge on Old Wawbeek Road

Tupper Lake, New York – A 28-year-old man from Tupper Lake is facing an aggravated DWI charge following a one-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of August 2, according to New York State Police.

Troopers responded around 1:00 a.m. to a report of a property damage accident on Old Wawbeek Road in Tupper Lake. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a black 2017 Dodge Ram lying on its passenger side in a ditch on the east side of the roadway. The driver, later identified as Hunter M. Savage, was found at the scene and spoke with investigators.

According to the police report, Savage told troopers that he had swerved to avoid hitting a deer while driving southbound, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle and veer off the road. The truck eventually tipped and landed on its side, but no injuries were reported.

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During the interaction, troopers noted that Savage showed visible signs of impairment. He was asked to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which he did not pass. As a result, he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and transported to the State Police barracks in Tupper Lake for further processing.

Once in custody, Savage submitted to a chemical breath test, which revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.28%—more than three times the legal limit of 0.08% in New York State. Because of the elevated BAC level, Savage was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a more serious offense under state law.

“Savage was subsequently released on appearance tickets to appear in the Town of Tupper Lake Court at a later date in August,” the State Police confirmed.

Aggravated DWI charges typically carry steeper penalties than standard DWI offenses, including the possibility of higher fines, longer license suspensions, and mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs. The severity of the offense is based on the high level of intoxication and the potential risk to public safety.

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Fortunately, no other vehicles or individuals were involved in the crash, and Savage was not injured. Authorities have not released additional details about the upcoming court date or whether any further charges may be filed in connection with the incident.

Police continue to remind drivers about the dangers of impaired driving, particularly during the summer months when travel increases. They urge anyone who plans to consume alcohol to arrange for a designated driver or alternate transportation to prevent dangerous and potentially tragic outcomes on the road.