Trial expected in fatal 2024 DWI motorcycle crash

CATSKILL―Next month marks two years since a motorcycle crash on State Route 23 that would claim the life of one man and leave his wife with serious injuries. The alleged drunk driver charged with causing the wreck is still anticipated to go to trial.

Derik Wirhouski, 52, of Cairo is charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and first-degree vehicular assault, both felonies, as well as reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and driving while intoxicated.

Wirhouski allegedly failed to obey the stop sign at Five Mile Woods Road in Catskill on September 10, 2024, and drove his 2000 Subaru Impreza into a Harley Davidson that was westbound on State Route 23.

The couple on the motorcycle, Craig “Hammer” Sutherland, 57, and his wife Charity Sutherland, 50, of Ontario, Canada, suffered critical injuries and each lost a leg. After six weeks in Albany Medical Center, where he underwent more than 30 surgeries, Craig Sutherland passed away on October 24, 2024.

The Sutherlands, who traveled all over North America on their bikes, had been coming to the Catskill Mountain Thunder motorcycle festival at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham for years. They were headed back to the resort after a day of riding in the area when they were hit.

Wirhouski, who was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the crash, allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent, the legal level for intoxication.

“Pre-trial hearings were held and memorandums of law were submitted,” Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione said on Thursday.

“We are awaiting a decision by the court regarding issues that were raised,” Stanzione explained. “Those issues being suppression of evidence, suppression of statements and when a trial will be scheduled.”

Wirhouski, who was indicted by a grand jury in October of 2024, is currently free on bail that was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 insured bond or $150,000 partially secured bond.