Stranded Driver In Capital Region Flees From Troopers, Strikes Cop Cars: Police

They say no good deed goes unpunished, and that was apparently the case when New York State Police troopers stopped to help a stranded driver in the region.

A 52-year-old Troy man is accused of fleeing from New York State Police troopers who stopped to help him, and damaging police vehicles on State Route 2 in the Town of Brunswick on Wednesday, May 31.
Photo Credit: *Facebook/New York State Police*

Michael Mashburn

06/02/2023 10:30 a.m.

Troopers in Rensselaer County stopped at around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, to assist a disabled vehicle in the Town of Brunswick, on State Route 2.

According to troopers, at some point during their interaction the driver, 52-year-old Michael Messier, of Troy, became uncooperative and ignored their commands.

Messier then fled in his car, striking police vehicles in the process, troopers said. No troopers were injured in the ordeal.

Deputies from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office eventually located Messier a short distance away, on Brick Church Road, and arrested him.

He is charged with the following:

Third-degree criminal mischief
Fourth-degree reckless endangerment
Second-degree criminal mischief
Third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle
Resisting arrest
Second-degree obstructing governmental administration
Multiple vehicle and traffic law violations

Troopers did not speculate on why Messier may have fled from police.

After undergoing a medical evaluation, he was issued an appearance ticket to the Brunswick Town Court on Wednesday, June 7.

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