Christopher W. Jones, (dob 5-30-60) plead guilty today in the Saratoga County Court before Hon. James A. Murphy, III to the crime of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, in violation of Penal Law Section 120.03 (1), a class “E” felony, for an incident that occurred in the Town of Clifton Park on June 3, 2017. Jones was driving out of the parking lot of the Ravenswood Pub in Clifton Park when he struck two people with his vehicle, the Pub owner, Stephanie Van Auken, and another man who were attempting to prevent Jones from driving drunk. Jones then fled the scene after hitting the victims and returned to his home in Schenectady. A short time later, police located Jones at his home and arrested him for Driving While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Incident. Van Auken sustained serious injuries in the crash. Following a stay at Albany Medical Center, the victim was transferred to Seton Health at Schuyler Ridge. After a significant period of rehabilitation, the victim returned home.
District Attorney Karen A. Heggen noted that this plea represents defendant Jones’ acknowledgment that he was in fact operating the motor vehicle involved in the incident and that he caused serious physical injury to the victim as a result of his intoxication. DA Heggen said that her office has been in touch with the victim and her family and “…We continue to be impressed with the inner strength and resilience of the victim in this case who continues to march down the long road to recovery in order to overcome the very serious injuries she sustained from this crime”.
The case was investigated by the New York State Police from the Clifton Park Barracks and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick J. Campion. Defendant Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2018, 2017 at 9:30 am by Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III. The defendant is expected to be sentenced to a state prison term of incarceration.