Wednesday August 29, 2012

BRATTLEBORO -- A Vermont man with a lengthy criminal history is facing up to 20 years behind bars after he allegedly drove drunk leading police on a high speed pursuit through Windham County with two children in the back seat of the vehicle.

Last week, Ryan C. Crosby, 29, of Athens, pleaded not guilty to six charges including two felony charges of a third DUI offense, and two misdemeanor cruelty to child charges.

Following his arraignment in Windham County Superior Court Criminal Division, Crosby was released with conditions, which include that he check in with the Bellows Falls Police Department daily.

According to the affidavit, Vermont State Police Trooper Nicholas Arlington was monitoring traffic on Aug. 4 just before 11 p.m., along Route 121 in Saxtons River when he saw a 1991 Chevy Camaro traveling west at 35 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Arlington stated he turned on his headlights and activated his vehicle’s front radar which clocked the Camaro at 44 mph, still in the 25 mph zone.

After activating his siren and emergency lights, Arlington stated the vehicle sped up to 63 mph as it approached Pleasant Valley Road and fled for approximately a half mile.

The driver, later identified as Crosby, finally pulled over his vehicle in one of the "S" curves of Route 121.

Crosby stuck his hands out of the window without being told to do so and Arlington instructed him to turn off the vehicle and place the keys

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on the roof. He told the trooper there were three people in the car, a woman and two children, and exited the vehicle after being asked to do so.

Crosby’s license was criminally suspended, Arlington wrote, and he took Crosby into custody and transported him to the Rockingham Barracks while another trooper met with the woman and children inside the vehicle.

A sample of Crosby’s breath shortly after his arrest revealed a blood alcohol content of .115, nearly double the legal limit.

According to Crosby’s criminal record, he’s been convicted of 13 misdemeanors and one felony, including two prior charges of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

If convicted, Crosby also faces up to $8,000 in fines in addition to any jail time.

Josh Stilts can be reached at jstilts@reformer.com, or 802-254-2311 ext. 273.