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WEST SPARTA- Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Monroe County resident on numerous felony and DWI related charges after an investigation of a serious motor vehicle crash.
On September 12, 2020 at approximately 2:50 am Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded to Presbyterian Road in the Town of West Sparta for the report of a one vehicle crash with injuries. The on-scene investigation revealed that a vehicle being operated by Garante T. Jackson, age 21 from North Chili NY, was traveling North on Presbyterian Road when it left the roadway to the west and drove through a guiderail. The vehicle then went over an embankment, struck several trees and
came to rest in a creek bed. Jackson and a passenger in the vehicle were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Jackson was transported by Dansville EMS, and his passenger was transported by Mercy Flight Central.
The investigating Deputy Sheriff’s suspected that Jackson was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Deputy Michael Donals, who is assigned to the Sheriff’s Office STOP DWI Unit, responded to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester to conduct a DWI investigation. Jackson did submit a blood sample to test for a BAC (blood alcohol content) and drugs. It was also discovered during the investigation that Jackson was in possession of suspected marijuana candy inside the vehicle.
Jackson sustained a serious broken ankle in the crash. His passenger suffered serious injuries including a collapsed lung, a lacerated kidney, a fractured hip socket and fractured vertebrae.
The blood sample and suspected marijuana candy were sent to a forensic lab for testing. The lab results confirmed that the candy located in Jackson’s vehicle was in fact marijuana candy with a total weight of over sixteen (16) ounces. Lab results also revealed that Jackson’s BAC was .11%. He also had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active component of marijuana, in his system at the time of the crash.
On January 21, 2021 Jackson was arrested and charged by Sheriff’s Deputies with felony Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree, felony Assault in the 2nd Degree, felony Vehicular Assault in the 2nd Degree, felony Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the 2nd degree, Driving While Intoxicated, Operating with a Blood Alcohol Content above .08%, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, and Driving While Ability Impaired by a Combination of Drugs and Alcohol.
Jackson was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention as the offenses did qualify for pre-arraignment detention under the NYS Justice Reform Act. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges. It was recommended that Jackson be held on $2000 cash bail or $4,000 bond.
Jackson was arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Village of Mount Morris Judge Robert Ossont. The Judge did release Jackson on his own recognizance with a return court date in West Sparta town court and Deputies did set him free.
The investigation was handled by members of the Sheriff’s Office Command Staff, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division and Forensic Identification Unit.
