Driver arrested for DWI after causing multi-vehicle collision involving a State Police Charger
- Jul 2
- 1 min read
On July 1, 2026, Troopers out of SP Buffalo- Troop T, arrested James R. Phalen, 34 of Alden, NY for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic tickets.
On July 1, 2026, at 7:20 P.M., Troopers were dispatched to a one car property damage collision on the I-190 southbound at MPM 13.9 in the town of Tonawanda. Investigation determined that at 7:38 P.M., the responding Trooper was outside of the marked State Police Charger 4T70 with emergency lights activated. While standing in the roadway, a 2014 Dodge Ram with a dolly trailer operated by Phalen struck a 2007 Ford Focus. The Ford Fucus then struck 4T70, causing 4T70 to strike the 2025 Dodge Charger which was the vehicle collision Troopers responded to originally. The Dodge Ram eventually came to rest on the right shoulder of the roadway. Seeing the oncoming collision the Trooper moved from the center of the roadway and hopped over the concrete center barrier into the northbound side of travel to avoid being struck.
Phalen was uninjured and arrested for DWI by additional responding Troopers. Phalen refused the chemical test at SP Buffalo and issued appearance tickets.
This is still an ongoing investigation
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit assisted in this investigation.
