Latham, NY — On May 4, 2016 Dertwan J. Dantzler, 21, of Troy, was involved in two separate motor vehicle collisions on Loudon Rd in the Town of Colonie at approximately 6:41 pm and 6:43 pm respectively.
The first collision occurred when Dantzler’s vehicle, a 2015 Honda, was travelling northbound on Loudon Road and sideswiped a 2005 Honda vehicle which was also travelling northbound. The operator of the 2005 Honda was not injured. Dantzler was being pursued at the time by a marked state police vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated in an attempt to stop Dantzler’s vehicle for violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. The Trooper immediately discontinued pursuing the 2015 Honda after witnessing the sideswipe.
The second collision occurred minutes later on Loudon Road at the entrance to Newton Plaza and resulted in a four vehicle personal injury motor vehicle crash, with Dantzler’s vehicle being one of the four involved.
Involved in the second crash was a 2011 Subaru, a 2005 Honda, and a 2006 Honda. The operator of the 2006 Honda was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Troy for complaint of pain. The operators of the 2011 Subaru and the 2005 Honda were not injured.
Dantzler was injured in the second crash with a collapsed lung and was transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital. Two occupants within his vehicle were also injured and transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital for treatment.
Amir F. Covington, 22, of Troy, sustained a fractured back injury in the second crash along with Marquis T. Thompson, 18. of Albany, who suffered a fractured pelvis, collapsed lung, and a bruised heart.
The personal injury crash and the sideswipe collision incidents are still under investigation at this time by members of the Uniform Force, BCI and the Collision Reconstruction Unit and it is believed that alcohol and drugs may be a factor for the driver involved in both vehicle incidents.
Prior to the separate incidents involving Dantzler a Trooper in a marked state police vehicle was stationary on Interstate 787 when he observed a 2015 Honda, now known to be operated by Dantzler, travelling southbound at a high rate of speed. The Trooper entered the roadway in an attempt to catch up to the vehicle which had then continued onto Interstate 90 at a high rate of speed. With emergency lights and sirens activated and now behind the 2015 Honda the Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle which failed to comply and exited I-90 at exit 6 continuing northbound on Loudon Rd. The Trooper notified radio dispatch of the failure to comply and terminated the pursuit of the 2015 Honda when he witnessed the sideswipe incident.
