Drunk leads several cops on high speed chase

POUGHKEEPSIE – An alleged drunk driver has been arrested by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office after leading multiple police agencies on a high-speed chase on Sunday, January 14, 2024.  The pursuit began on the Hyde Park/Town of Poughkeepsie line when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle at approximately 11:10 p.m.

Sheriff’s Captain John Watterson says a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle on Route 9 near the Hyde Park/Town of Poughkeepsie border and the vehicle failed to comply.  The operator, later identified as 27-year-old Scott Owen, proceeded driving south on Route 9, zigging through the City of Poughkeepsie to Wilbur Boulevard, with multiple police units giving chase.  He traveled south on Wilbur Boulevard, to Spackenkill Road, when he fled west toward the IBM South Road campus.

Once reaching IBM Road, Owen raced through the Crown Heights neighborhood in the Town of Poughkeepsie, where he lives, without stopping.  The suspect made his way to Shaefe Road past Bowdoin Park before turning left on Channingville Road and heading north.  With police still chasing, Owen then traveled onto Nelson Avenue and turned onto Delavergne Avenue, making his way back to Shaefe Road.

He turned north on Shaefe Road and drove back into the Crown Heights neighborhood, before stopping near his Marino Drive residence, where he was taken into custody.

Owen has been charged with the misdemeanors of aggravated DWI, reckless driving, and unlawfully fleeing a police officer.  He was also issued tickets for several traffic offenses.

The unsuccessful attempt to evade police resulted in Owen being issued appearance tickets with arraignment dates in both the City and Town of Poughkeepsie courts.

In addition to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, units from the New York State Police, City of Poughkeepsie Police, and Town of Poughkeepsie Police assisted in the pursuit and apprehension of Owen.