Trooper Jumps Barrier Seconds Before A Drunk Driver Hit His Cruiser

A New York driver has been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) after the vehicle he was operating was involved in a multi-vehicle accident. One of those automobiles was a New York State Police cruiser.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced State Police and local law enforcement to target impaired and reckless drivers this holiday weekend. Nearly 50,000 tickets were issued during 2025 enforcement, including more than 1,500 for impaired driving.

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On July 1st around 7:20pm, according to a New York State Police press release, Troopers were dispatched to a one car property damage collision on I-190 southbound in the town of Tonawanda.

At the scene a Trooper was outside of the marked State Police Charger 4T70 with emergency lights activated. While standing in the roadway, a 2014 Dodge Ram with a dolly trailer struck a 2007 Ford Focus.

troopers.ny.gov

Once struck, the Ford Fucus then hit the police cruiser, causing it to strike a 2025 Dodge Charger. The Dodge Ram eventually came to rest on the right shoulder of the roadway.

Seeing the oncoming collision the Trooper moved from the center of the roadway and hopped over the concrete center barrier into the northbound side of travel to avoid being struck. So, why did the Dodge Ram collide with all of these vehicles?

troopers.ny.gov

New York State Police have arrested 34-year-old James R. Phalen of Alden, New York for Driving While Intoxicated and other vehicle and traffic tickets. Phalen was uninjured and arrested for DWI by additional responding Troopers. Phalen refused the chemical test at State Police Buffalo and issued appearance tickets.