Kingston, NY—Joseph Jensen, age 56, of White Plains, pleaded guilty to felony vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated on Friday, March 14, 2025 before the Honorable Bryan E. Rounds. Sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2025.

On December 27, 2023, defendant was driving northbound on Route 209 at 11:45 p.m. in the Village of Ellenville when he struck a 54-year-old pedestrian walking on the crosswalk at the intersection of Center Street and 209.  The victim was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown by the Ellenville Rescue Squad where she received treatment for critical injuries that required an extended period of rehabilitation.

Defendant had an open container of alcohol in his vehicle at the time, and subsequently failed field sobriety tests administered by law enforcement. When transported back to Ellenville Police Department, he refused any chemical tests for alcohol and was charged with Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, Driving While Intoxicated, and issued traffic tickets for failing to yield right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, failing to submit to a chemical test, and driving with an open container.

“This Office is committed to vigorously prosecuting vehicular crimes in our effort to improve our road safety. The operation in public of a dangerous instrument such as a loaded gun or a car by someone loaded of alcohol or drugs poses significant threat to life; it requires accountability for taking the lives and rights of other users of the road for granted,” said District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji.

This matter is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief ADA Paul V. Derohannesian. The defendant is represented by Shawangunk attorney Ed Bruno. 

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