Driver Who Hit Pole Was Drunk, Had Cocaine, Putnam Sheriff Says

SOUTHEAST, N.Y. -- A Connecticut man faces DWI and drug charges after he crashed his car into a utility pole in Southeast, Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith said.

Douglas Robinson, 44, of Brookfield, Conn., was arrested early Wednesday on Route 6 near the Middle Branch reservoir, police said.

A deputy sheriff responding to the scene of the accident determined that Robinson was intoxicated and had a large amount of cocaine on him, Smith said.

Robinson was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, the sheriff said.

He was evaluated by emergency medical personnel but refused medical treatment, police said.

Robinson was arraigned in Carmel Justice Court and sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 bail, police said.

He is to appear in the Southeast Justice Court on Thursday, March 3.

If found guilty of the felony charge, Robinson could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000, police said.

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