Correction: The article has been updated to accurately include information regarding the driver’s name from police.
UPDATE MAR. 2 (WETM) – Elmira Heights Police said they arrested one man in connection to the utility pole crash on County Route 64 Wednesday night.
According to EHPD, an officer tried to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration on March 1, but the car kept driving. This started a slow-to-moderate speed chase through the village, south past Woodlawn Cemetery, then north up and over Harris Hill, and eventually onto CR64.
EHPD said the driver tried to make a sudden right turn onto CR64 without stopping, but he left the road and crashed into a utility pole. Officers took down 62-year-old Richard Peckham the driver “at gunpoint due to the unknown nature of his actions”.
He was taken to Robert Packer Hospital for evaluation and was later released back to police. Peckham was charged with Operating on a Suspended Registration, Reckless Driving, and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer. Police said Peckham may face more charges because he allegedly drove the vehicle without the owner’s permission, but did have permission to work on it.
BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WETM) — A portion of County Road 64 was closed Wednesday evening after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole, cracking it and causing it to lean.
The incident occurred sometime around 7 p.m. at the intersection of Harris Hill Road and County Road 64. Residents in the area began seeing police cars show up one after the other at the scene, prompting them to leave their houses and look at the crash.
State Police quickly shut down the road, directing westbound traffic onto Summerset Drive, and turning them around.
NYSEG was in the area around 7:20 p.m., with power needing to be shut off in order to repair the line.
It’s unknown at this time the status of the driver/passengers in the vehicle, 18 News will update this story if/when more information becomes available to us.
