Driver in highspeed chase charged with manslaughter

CHESTERTOWN, N.Y. >> The driver involved in a high-speed chase on I-87 that started near Exit 19 in Queensbury and ended near Exit 25 in Chestertown resulting in the fatality of another motorist, was charged with multiple felonies.

On Friday, State Police charged Skyler B. Crouse, 30, of Akwesasne, a Mohawk territory on the New York-Canada border, with manslaughter second degree, reckless endangerment first degree, and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle first degree, all felonies, as well as resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

Police also charged Crouse with harassment second degree, a violation, after he spat on a member of the media that was covering his arraignment.

Crouse was arraigned at Warren County Centralized Arraignment and remanded to Warren County Jail without bail.

About 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, State Police patrols monitoring traffic northbound near exit 19 on 1-87, said they observed and attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Crouse for traveling in excess of 90 mph in a work zone.

According to police, Crouse failed to comply, continuing at a high rate of speed, necessitating police to the use a tire deflation device on Crouse’s vehicle.

With one tire deflated, police said Crouse exited I-87 at Exit 25, still raveling at a high rate of speed, and struck another vehicle on the off-ramp, killing the driver, Joseph D. Turcotte, 38, of Brant Lake.

After striking Turcotte’s, vehicle, Crouse continued across Route 8, with his vehicle coming to a rest on the northbound entrance ramp.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.