Local Man Arrested Following Pursuit

New York State Police[/caption]

The pursuit took place on Saturday May 14th and started in the Village of Fishkill.

According to a New York State Police press release, New York State Troopers attempted to stop a 1997 Honda traveling north on Route 9 for a window tint violation and as the Trooper turned on his lights, the Honda quickly exited Route 9.

The driver of the vehicle, Mark A. Conklin of Verplanck then later identified as Conklin, then drove through the some grass into a parking area and re-entered Route 9 northbound. Conklin continued on Route 9 and refused to stop for police.

At the intersection of Route 9 and Old Hopewell Road, Conklin failed to stop at a red traffic signal and struck a 2011 Honda CR-V operated by 36-year-old Syreeta Jones of Wappinger. Conklin fled the accident scene and started traveling eastbound on Myers Corners Road. Jones was not injured as a result of the collision.

The pursuit then continued through the Town of Wappinger, the Town of Poughkeepsie, and ended in the City of Poughkeepsie on Corlies Avenue where Conklin drove toward the dead-end area of Corlies Avenue, exited the roadway into a wooded area where his vehicle came to rest after striking multiple bushes. Troopers placed Conklin in custody and transported him to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for an evaluation.

Conklin was areested and charged with possessing crack cocaine and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. He was sent to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.