State Police Report Four Notable Troop G DWI Arrests
Arrests included a Leandra’s Law case involving a child and two drivers accused of having BAC levels of 0.20% or higher.
New York State Police reported four notable Troop G DWI arrests stemming from incidents between Aug. 20 and Aug. 24, including a crash involving a child passenger, an alleged repeat DWI offender and two motorists whose reported blood alcohol concentrations were at least 0.20%.
The arrests occurred in Hagaman, Clifton Park, Hoosick and Gloversville, according to a State Police release issued Aug. 28. None of the arrests described below represents a conviction, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Hagaman Crash Leads to Leandra’s Law Charge
The first incident happened at about 10:03 a.m. Aug. 20, when State Police from Fonda responded to a single-vehicle crash off Maple Avenue in Hagaman.
Police identified the driver as Brittany M. Macfie, 35, of Hagaman. A child younger than 16 was also inside the vehicle.
Macfie was arrested on charges including Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child, commonly known as Leandra’s Law, as well as Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and other vehicle and traffic violations.
Macfie and the child were taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital for evaluation of minor injuries, according to police.
Troopers said a blood sample was collected from Macfie at the hospital to determine the drug content of her blood. Police did not report the results of that testing in the Aug. 28 release.
After being released from the hospital, the child was turned over to a family member. Macfie was taken to the State Police barracks in Fonda for processing.
She was issued an appearance ticket for Amsterdam Town Court on Sept. 10 and released to a sober third party.
What is Leandra’s Law?
Leandra’s Law makes driving while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 16 a serious offense in New York.
State Police routinely charge qualifying cases as Aggravated DWI with a Child Passenger, a Class E felony. The law was named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, whose 2009 death in a DWI crash helped prompt passage of the legislation.
The Hagaman case is especially concerning because police say the incident involved both a young passenger and a collision that resulted in minor injuries.
Clifton Park Driver Accused of DWI, Refuses Sample
Later on Aug. 20, at approximately 9:53 p.m., State Police from Clifton Park stopped a vehicle on State Route 146A after observing what police described as vehicle and traffic law violations.
The driver was identified as Tyler J. Maguire, 33, of Ballston Lake.
Troopers arrested Maguire for Driving While Intoxicated and other traffic violations.
Police said Maguire was taken to the Clifton Park barracks for processing but refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood.
Investigators also determined that Maguire had a previous DWI conviction within the past 10 years, according to State Police.
He was issued tickets requiring him to appear in Clifton Park Town Court on Sept. 23 and was released to a sober third party.
A prior DWI conviction can significantly affect how a new alcohol-related driving case is handled under New York law.
Motorcycle Operator Records Reported 0.21% BAC
The third arrest began as an effort to assist a stranded motorcyclist.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. Aug. 22, State Police from Brunswick stopped to help with a disabled motorcycle on State Route 7 in Hoosick.
Police identified the operator as James J. Grimes, 34, of Central Valley.
Grimes was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to the State Police barracks in Brunswick.
Troopers reported that Grimes recorded a 0.21% blood alcohol concentration during processing.
That is more than two-and-a-half times New York’s standard 0.08% BAC threshold for DWI.
Under New York law, a BAC of 0.18% or higher falls into the aggravated DWI category. New York’s Driver’s Manual identifies 0.18% as the threshold for aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Grimes was issued tickets requiring an appearance in Hoosick Town Court on Sept. 17 and was released to a sober third party.
Gloversville Driver Records Reported 0.20% BAC
The final arrest included in the State Police report occurred at about 9:57 p.m. Aug. 24.
State Police from Mayfield stopped a vehicle on West Fulton Street in Gloversville for an alleged vehicle and traffic law violation.
Police identified the driver as Dylan T. Etherton, 40, of Gloversville.
Etherton was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and additional vehicle and traffic law violations.
Troopers said he was transported to the Mayfield State Police barracks, where he recorded a 0.20% BAC.
That figure is also above New York’s 0.18% aggravated DWI threshold.
Etherton was issued tickets requiring him to appear in Gloversville City Court on Sept. 22 and was released to a sober third party.
Four Cases, Different Circumstances
The Troop G arrests illustrate how impaired-driving investigations can begin in very different ways.
The cases included:
- A one-car crash involving a child passenger in Hagaman
- A Clifton Park traffic stop involving a driver police say had a prior DWI conviction
- A disabled motorcycle in Hoosick where the operator allegedly recorded a 0.21% BAC
- A Gloversville traffic stop where the driver allegedly recorded a 0.20% BAC
Although the circumstances differed, each case ended with an arrest or DWI-related charges.
New York considers motorists with a BAC of 0.08% or more legally intoxicated for purposes of DWI enforcement, while a BAC of 0.18% or higher meets the statutory threshold for aggravated DWI.
Impaired Driving Remains Preventable
The most important point behind these arrests is not simply the number of tickets issued or court appearances scheduled.
Impaired-driving crashes are preventable.
Drivers who have consumed alcohol or used substances that could impair their ability to drive have alternatives. Those may include choosing a designated sober driver, arranging a taxi or rideshare, staying overnight or asking a friend or family member for transportation.
The Hagaman case also serves as a reminder that decisions behind the wheel can affect passengers who have no control over the situation — including children.
New York created Leandra’s Law specifically to impose stronger consequences when an allegedly impaired driver places a child passenger at risk.
What Happens Next
The four defendants face court proceedings in September.
Their scheduled appearances include:
- Brittany M. Macfie — Amsterdam Town Court, Sept. 10
- James J. Grimes — Hoosick Town Court, Sept. 17
- Dylan T. Etherton — Gloversville City Court, Sept. 22
- Tyler J. Maguire — Clifton Park Town Court, Sept. 23
The charges and allegations reported by State Police have not been proven in court.
Residents who suspect an impaired driver is creating an immediate danger on the road should contact law enforcement rather than attempting to intervene themselves.
Source: New York State Police, Troop G. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
