UPDATE: State police investigate fatal rollover crash in Whitestown

UPDATED INFORMATION:

On 05/16/24, Howard N. Griswold Jr. was indicted by an Oneida County grand jury and a warrant was issued for his arrest for his involvement in the incident.

On December 24, 2007, Griswold Jr., who is currently incarcerated in the Atlantic County Jail in New Jersey for murder stemming from a separate incident in that state, was arrested and arraigned in the Oneida County Courthouse on the following charges:

– Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3., PL 220.16

– Manslaughter 2., PL 125.15

– Second degree vehicular homicide, PL 125.12

– Unauthorized escape from a police officer 1., PL 270.35

– Obstruction of government administration 2., PL 195.05

– Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, VTL 1192 para. 4

– Reckless driving, VTL 1212

– Speeding, VTL 1180 sub b

– Speed ​​not appropriate and prudent, VTL 1180 sub a, (3 points)

– Failure to obey a stop sign, VTL 1172 sub a, (3 counts)

– Disregard of a red light, VTL 1111 sub d1

– Error while staying in LAN, VTL 1128 Sub a

– Driving a motor vehicle without a driving license, VTL 509 para. 1

– Not being secured by a seat belt, VTL 1229 sub c3

The victim’s family has been contacted and informed of the arrest and the outcome of the investigation. Pursuant to Executive Law Section 70-b, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident in cooperation with the New York State Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office.

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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

On November 7, 2023 at 2:12 a.m., a State Police patrol stopped a vehicle, a 2017 Acura ILX, on State Route 365 near Blackmans Corners Road in the Town of Verona for speeding 85 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.

When police began questioning the male driver, who was later identified as Howard N. Griswold Jr.abruptly rolled up the window and drove away at a high rate of speed. Troopers returned to their patrol car and initiated a chase. The suspect’s vehicle continued east on State Route 365 and then Lamphear Road. The driver then ran a red light at the intersection of State Route 233 and continued on Rome-Oriskany Road until turning right onto Monument Road. The vehicle continued south on Monument Road until it made another right onto Sutliff Road and drove west at a high rate of speed. Troopers lost sight of the suspect’s vehicle and as they approached the intersection of State Route 233, they found that the vehicle had struck a tree and come to a stop on the front lawn of the home at 6405 State Route 233.

Griswold, 24, of Utica, NY, was taken by ambulance to Rome Health Hospital and then transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with serious internal injuries.

One passenger in the vehicle, 22 years old Shana Reahoo Chord of Utica, NY, was transported by ambulance to Rome Health Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

State police were assisted at the scene by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

Pursuant to Section 70-b of the Executive Law, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident jointly with the New York State Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office.