State Police in Troop G record multiple DWI arrests across the region between October 24 and October 30 after a series of traffic stops and crash investigations

New York – In a focused week of enforcement across eastern New York, State Police in Troop G made a series of notable arrests connected to impaired driving offenses, with multiple incidents involving crashes, revoked licenses, and even children in vehicles. The arrests, which occurred between October 24 and October 30, 2025, underscore ongoing efforts by troopers to address impaired and reckless driving on state highways and local roads.

Erratic Driving Leads to Arrest in Moreau

The week’s first significant arrest unfolded just before the official reporting period. On October 23, 2025, at approximately 5:53 p.m., troopers assigned to the Northway Interstate Patrol responded to reports of an erratic vehicle traveling on I-87 in Saratoga Springs. After locating the vehicle on Saratoga Road in Moreau, troopers stopped the driver, identified as Sean R. Cooper, 43, of Mechanicville, NY, for Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

Cooper’s situation quickly escalated when troopers determined he was Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and operating without a valid license. He was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the first degree and several other violations. Cooper refused to provide samples for chemical testing and was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). Subsequent investigation revealed that Cooper had multiple prior DWI convictions. After being processed at SP Wilton, he was arraigned in Moreau Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.

Early Morning Stop in Malta

Just hours into October 24, troopers in Saratoga stopped a vehicle on Cherry Choke Road in Malta at around 1:27 a.m. for a routine traffic violation. The driver, Robert J. Byrne, 53, of Fort Plain, was found to be intoxicated. Following his arrest and processing at SP Saratoga, Byrne registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18%—more than twice the legal limit. He was issued several traffic tickets, including one for Driving While Intoxicated, and is scheduled to appear in Malta Town Court on December 4, 2025. He was released to a sober third party following his arrest.

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Single-Vehicle Crash in Broadalbin

Later that same afternoon, at approximately 2:41 p.m., State Police of Mayfield responded to a rollover crash on Midline Road in Broadalbin. The driver, John J. Borkowski, 51, of Amsterdam, escaped injury but showed signs of intoxication. After being taken to SP Mayfield, Borkowski registered an extremely high BAC of 0.25%. He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and related traffic offenses. Borkowski was released to a sober third party with an appearance scheduled for November 20, 2025, in Broadalbin Town Court.

Multi-Car Collision in Colonie

A few hours later, on October 24 at 6:57 p.m., troopers assigned to the Latham Interstate Patrol responded to a three-car crash on Troy Schenectady Road in Colonie. Investigators determined that 26-year-old Mario Santiz Lopez of Schenectady struck the rear of an SUV stopped at a red light, causing that vehicle to hit another SUV ahead of it.

The drivers and passengers of the impacted vehicles sustained minor injuries and were transported for medical evaluation. Santiz Lopez, who was found to be intoxicated, was taken to SP Latham, where he registered a BAC of 0.20%. He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and issued multiple tickets returnable to Colonie Town Court on November 17, 2025. After processing, he was released to a sober individual.

Interstate Stop in Queensbury

That same evening, around 8:09 p.m., State Police in Queensbury conducted a traffic stop on I-87 for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver, Walter Y. Root, 53, of Indian Lake, was determined to be intoxicated. Following his arrest, he was processed at SP Queensbury, where he registered a BAC of 0.18%. Root received tickets for Driving While Intoxicated and other offenses and is due in Queensbury Town Court on November 17, 2025. He was also released to a sober party.

Mayfield Troopers Make Another DWI Arrest

Just after midnight on October 25, at approximately 12:50 a.m., State Police of Mayfield made another arrest after stopping a vehicle on State Route 30A. The driver, Jordan W. Herron, 26, of Johnstown, was taken into custody for Driving While Intoxicated and other traffic offenses. Herron’s BAC registered at 0.23%, nearly triple the legal limit. He was issued tickets returnable to Mayfield Town Court on November 13, 2025, and was later released.

Tennessee Driver Charged in Clifton Park Crash

Later that day, around 8:50 p.m., troopers from Clifton Park responded to a one-car crash on Old Route 146. The driver, Stephen W. Hamby, 61, of Springfield, Tennessee, was uninjured but showed signs of intoxication. Hamby’s BAC was recorded at 0.20% following his arrest. He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and several traffic violations, receiving tickets returnable to Clifton Park Town Court on November 12, 2025. He was subsequently released to a sober individual.

Two Arrests Early October 26 in Schenectady and Watervliet

In the early hours of October 26, two more impaired driving incidents occurred within minutes of each other.

At 12:35 a.m., State Police of New Scotland stopped a vehicle on I-787 in Watervliet. The driver, Kaileb M. Travis, 35, of Rensselaer, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. His BAC measured 0.20%, and he was issued tickets returnable to Watervliet City Court on November 18, 2025. Travis was released to a sober third party.

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Just two minutes later, at 12:37 a.m., another trooper initiated a traffic stop on Broadway in Schenectady. The driver, Bernice A. Cottone, 46, of Schenectady, was found to be operating without a valid driver’s license. Cottone was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the first degree, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. She recorded a BAC of 0.09% during processing at SP Princetown. Further investigation revealed that Cottone had a previous DWI conviction within the last ten years. She was subsequently transported to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Drug-Related Arrest Involving Children in Sand Lake

On October 27, at around 9:35 a.m., State Police of Sand Lake received a report of a possibly impaired driver on State Route 43. Troopers located a vehicle fitting the description and stopped it for a traffic violation. The driver, Brittany R. Anderson, 35, of Averill Park, had two children under the age of 16 in the car at the time.

The children were safely released to a family member while Anderson was taken into custody. She was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra’s Law), Driving While Impaired by Drugs, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. At SP Sand Lake, she was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert, and samples were collected to determine the drug and alcohol content of her blood. Anderson was later arraigned at Schodack Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Controlled Substance and Child in Vehicle Leads to Arrest in Schodack

The final reported case occurred on October 28, around 9:14 p.m., when State Police of Schodack stopped a vehicle on Columbia Turnpike for a traffic violation. The driver, Joshua M. Getz, 37, of Castleton-on-Hudson, was found to have a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle and to be in possession of a controlled substance.

Getz was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra’s Law), Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree, along with other violations. He refused a DRE evaluation, but samples were taken for toxicology testing. Getz was issued multiple tickets and is set to appear in Schodack Town Court on December 3, 2025. He was released to a sober party following processing.

Pattern of Enforcement and Community Reminder

Throughout the week, State Police in Troop G handled a range of DWI-related incidents—some involving collisions, others tied to drug use, suspended licenses, and endangering minors. While none of the reported cases resulted in serious injuries or fatalities, law enforcement emphasized that each situation could have ended far worse.

Officials continue to remind drivers that impaired driving remains one of the most preventable causes of crashes and injuries in New York State. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs not only endangers the driver but everyone else sharing the road.

The variety of cases handled by troopers—from high BAC levels and repeat offenders to drivers with children in their vehicles—underscores the complexity of impaired driving enforcement. It also highlights the ongoing importance of patrols, public reporting, and intervention efforts aimed at keeping communities safe.

As State Police continue their vigilance on highways and local roads, these incidents serve as a stark reminder that impaired driving can lead to criminal charges, license suspensions, and, in severe cases, imprisonment. For those already convicted of DWI, repeat offenses carry especially harsh consequences under state law, including mandatory jail time and vehicle impoundment.

The arrests made between October 24 and October 30, 2025, demonstrate a strong and consistent approach by Troop G troopers in enforcing New York’s DWI laws—showing that swift action, community reporting, and continued public awareness remain essential tools in reducing impaired driving across the Capital Region and beyond.