Man Faces Drug and Impairment Charges Following Crash in Utica

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Utica, NY – December 17, 2024 – Around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Utica Police and Fire Rescue responded to a single-vehicle accident on Grandview Avenue near Watkins Avenue. Emergency crews were dispatched after receiving reports of a vehicle that had collided with a tree, with an unconscious male inside.

Utica Fire personnel extricated the driver, identified as Michael Townsend, 50, of Rome. During the rescue, Townsend became combative and argumentative. Despite his behavior, first responders transported him to Wynn Hospital for treatment.

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During transport, Townsend lost consciousness again. Once at the hospital, medical staff administered several doses of Narcan, which revived him. As he regained consciousness, hospital staff observed multiple corner-knotted baggies containing a blue and white substance in his mouth, believed to have been concealed there.

Utica police secured the baggies, and preliminary tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the substance. Following the investigation, Townsend was charged with the following offenses:

▪︎ Driving While Impaired – Drugs

▪︎ Tampering with Physical Evidence

▪︎ Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree

Townsend was issued several appearance tickets and is scheduled to answer the charges in court at a later date.