NEW HARTFORD, New York — Three people were taken to Wynn Hospital after a two-car crash on Route 12 in New Hartford on Saturday night, October 24, and a 27-year-old driver faces a felony drunken-driving charge, according to police accounts reported by WKTV, the Rome Sentinel and Newport Dispatch and summarised by the Utica Phoenix on Monday.

Source: Utica Phoenix (reporting WKTV, Rome Sentinel and Newport Dispatch police accounts)

Police identified the driver as Clayton Hunt. They allege his northbound vehicle crossed the centre line and hit a vehicle travelling south at about 7:30 p.m. Hunt, the other driver and a passenger in the other vehicle were treated for injuries police described as non-life-threatening, the Rome Sentinel reported Monday.

Source: Utica Phoenix (reporting WKTV, Rome Sentinel and Newport Dispatch police accounts)

New Hartford police and firefighters responded. Officers said Hunt showed signs of impairment and underwent field sobriety tests, and police alleged he had been driving while intoxicated, according to WKTV's report Sunday. Hunt was taken to hospital for evaluation before his arrest, and the reports reviewed did not include a newer medical update.

Source: Utica Phoenix (reporting WKTV, Rome Sentinel and Newport Dispatch police accounts)

Police said the DWI charge was elevated to a felony because Hunt had a prior DWI conviction within the past 10 years. He also faces a misdemeanour DWI count, an aggravated unlicensed operation charge, and charges including driving without a required ignition interlock device and operating without a licence, plus registration, insurance and inspection violations, WKTV and Newport Dispatch reported. The charges are allegations; Hunt is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: Utica Phoenix (reporting WKTV, Rome Sentinel and Newport Dispatch police accounts)