Flack Broadcasting – UPDATE: State Police release more details on man arrested for assault with a vehicle and drunken driving in Lewis County

DENMARK- A North Country resident faces charges of aggravated assault with a vehicle after police investigated a drunken driving incident involving a car and a dirt bike in Lewis County Monday night, authorities report.

Darren M. Ashcroft, 57, of Carthage, NY, was arrested Monday evening by New York State Police (Watertown). Ashcroft is formally charged with a felony count of second-degree assault with a vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol (first offense) and operating a motor vehicle (with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more).

According to police, Ashcroft was driving south on Plank Road in the town of Denmark when he attempted to pass a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle traveling in the same direction.

Due to oncoming traffic, Ashcroft was unable to fully overtake and therefore moved back into the lane, hitting the dirt bike.

The driver of the 2007 Kawasaki was Trean E. Arseneau, 16, of Copenhagen, NY. He was flown by helicopter to Upstate Hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

Ashcroft allegedly showed signs of intoxication and was subsequently arrested for drunk driving.

He was taken for examination and found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.13%, police said.

Members of the sheriff’s office, Rutland Fire Department, Search and Rescue Unit and Lifenet Helicopter responded to the scene.

NYSP image.