West Seneca, NY (WBEN) A driver is charged with DWAI after State Police say he struck a trooper who was helping a stranded motorist Thursday evening along the 400.
Around 10pm, State Police say a trooper was outside of his vehicle while assisting a disabled motorist on the Thruway westbound on the Exit 54 ramp in West Seneca. At that time, troopers say James J. Stumpf, age 34, of Buffalo, was traveling in a 2020 Ford pickup on the ramp to enter the Thruway from State Route 400.
Stumpf drove off the left shoulder and into an embankment, where the trooper had been standing, striking him. The trooper was transported to Erie County Medical Center, where he was treated and later released. Stumpf was administered field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test, which returned positive results for alcohol impairment.
State Police say a breath test at the Buffalo barracks revealed a 0.06% BAC. Additionally, an evaluation by a State Police Drug Recognition Expert detected positive indicators of the presence of recent drug use. Stumpf was charged with DWAI, felony vehicular assault, and vehicle and traffic violations. He is due in West Seneca Town Court on February 17.