Police say reckless driver fled the scene of an accident
Monroe - Village Police have charged a Monroe resident with reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while his ability was impaired by drugs after police said the driver veered off Spring Street, struck a car parked in a driveway and tore up three lawns before returning to the road and driving off. Police said the initial call came in at 7:15 p.m. last Sunday evening, June 26. Officers searching the area found the vehicle,a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, in the parking lot at Seamanville Cemetery on Spring Street. Police said the car was heavily damaged, with two flat tires. Officers found the driver, Thomas Santiago, 24, in the car. Police said he was interviewed and given field sobriety tests. Police also said they found drugs on him and in is car. Santiago was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marihuana, possessing prescription medication outside of its original container, reckless driving,and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. He was arraigned in Monroe Village Court and sent to Orange County Jail pending future court action. Police did not yet have an estimate on the property damage.