According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, a Utica man was arrested following a failure to comply in the Town of Bridgewater. On 10/11/2024 at around 5:23 PM, a Patrol Deputy observed a 2012 Volvo traveling south at 88 MPH in a 55MPH speed zone while passing a vehicle on the right, on Route 8 in the Town of Bridgewater. The Deputy activated his emergency lights in an effort to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and the Deputy terminated the stop. A short time later, the same Deputy located the same vehicle in heavy traffic on Route 8 in the Village of Bridgewater and attempted to stop the vehicle a second time. The vehicle again fled south on Route 8 and the Deputy did not pursue. As the vehicle was fleeing, the operator Jose Guevara, age 23 of Utica, recklessly passed several vehicles on the right driving over the sidewalk, and then cut off several cars crossing into the northbound lane, when Guevara’s vehicle side swiped a 2014 Infinity heading north on Route 8, operated by Crimercis Hernandez age 27 of Pennsylvania. Following the side swipe, it forced the Infinity into a 2023 Hyundai which was parked in a nearby parking lot. After that collision, both the Infinity and Hyundai were hit by a 2012 Honda that was being operated by Khinmaung OO, age 28 of Utica. Guevara’s vehicle became disabled a short distance down the road in a front yard. Guevara was not injured and was immediately taken into custody without incident.

Hernandez was not injured however 4 children in her vehicle suffered minor injuries and were transported to Wynn Hospital.

OO and two other passengers suffered minor injuries and were transported to Bassett Hospital.

Guevara was arrested and charged with the following:

2 counts- Unlawful fleeing a police officer 3rd degree (A Misdemeanor)

1 count- Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree(A Misdemeanor)

7 counts- Reckless Assault 3rd degree (A Misdemeanor)

11 Vehicle and Traffic tickets to include, speeding, reckless operation and equipment violations, and moving violations.

Guevara was issued an appearance ticket and traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Bridgewater Court.

Deputies were assisted on scene by New York State Police, Bridgewater Fire Dept., Bridgewater Ambulance, Edwards Ambulance, West Winfield Ambulance, and Clayville Fire Dept.