Greenport cop who wrecked patrol vehicle pleads to DWAI

GREENPORT―A now-former Greenport police officer who crashed a patrol vehicle earlier this month has pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired by alcohol.

Stephanie VanAlstyne was initially charged with driving while intoxicated after the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said she had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15 percent, nearly twice the legal limit.

The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, August 2 on Fairview Avenue.

According to the sheriff’s office, preliminary investigation determined that VanAlstyne was traveling north when she veered off the road, resulting in a crash that caused significant damage to the patrol vehicle.

She sustained minor injuries to her hand but declined medical treatment.

VanAlstyne, who was also employed as a corrections officer at the Columbia County Jail, was immediately suspended without pay, and later resigned from both positions.

On Monday, VanAlstyne appeared in Greenport Town Court and entered a plea of guilty to the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired by alcohol, as per court records. That charge, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is lodged against drivers who have a BAC of between 0.05 and 0.07 percent.

In addition to various fees, VanAlstyne also paid a $300 fine and DMV will automatically suspend her driver's license for a mandatory 90 days.

The case was handled by attorney William J. Galvin of Ghent, who was appointed special prosecutor after the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office recused itself due to a conflict of interest.