Testimony about fatal crash scene heard

Rensselaer County Sheriff’s employees recount 2012 accident at hearing

RENSSELAER >> A pre-trial hearing was held Wednesday following a fatal June 2012 crash in which the passenger was ejected from the car and the driver left the scene.

Brendan Hoffman, then 20, who faces up to 25 years in prison for the DWI-related crash, is charged with three counts each of aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, second- degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and violation of a conditional license.

Hoffman has a prior conviction for DWI. The charges stem from an 11- count grand jury indictment handed down in February 2012.

On Wednesday, several Rensselaer County Sheriff’s employees testified about the investigation of the Cranston Road crash.

Christopher Baker, 24, was ejected from the vehicle and killed in the crash, not to be found for hours after. The vehicle, which rolled multiple times, had already been towed, as police did not believe the crash to be fatal.

Sheriff Jack Mahar said in a 2012 interview that a person driving in the opposite direction on the night of the accident told deputies the car Hoffman was driving nearly hit the witness’ vehicle and then went into a ditch.

The witness turned around to check on the crashed car and talked to Hoffman. At that time another vehicle, driven by an unidentified female who knew Hoffman, pulled up to the scene. The witness told deputies Hoffman got into the vehicle and fled the scene.

Mahar previously said deputies searched the scene, but at the time of the accident were not specifically looking for a passenger. The car was towed and deputies were looking at nearby houses to see if the white car driven by the female could be located.

In his testimony before Judge Debra Young Wednesday, Deputy Sheriff Matt Trolio said responders searched both sides of the road and the area around the car with a flashlight, and didn’t find a passenger’s body or any blood; Trolio then went to Hoffman’s home and spoke with his brother and parents.

The Sheriff’s department received a call about the crash at 12:50 a.m., and hours later Hoffman’s father called to say his son told him Baker was in the car. It was only after that call that Baker’s body was discovered.

Sergeant Shane Holcomb, Investigator Steven J. Wohlleber, Sr. and Derek Pyle also appeared to testify at the hearing.

Hoffman’s trial is scheduled for March 24 before Judge Debra Young and is expected to last two weeks.