District Attorney Hoovler Announces Prison Sentence in Warwick Vehicular Assault Case
Michael Falkena Previously Pled Guilty to Vehicular Assault in the First Degree
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Michael Falkena, 42, of Sparrowbush, was sentenced in Orange County Court to three (3) to six (6) years in prison relative to his previous plea of guilty to Vehicular Assault in the First Degree.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on December 28, 2023 members of the Town of Warwick Police Department responded to a multiple car crash on County Highway 1. At the scene, police observed multiple cars with damage and found the defendant’s vehicle in the middle of the road across both lanes of travel. The officers observed the tell-tale signs of intoxication while talking to Falkena, who later admitted to blacking out during the collision. Witnesses indicated that Falkena had driven into the opposite lane of travel and struck other vehicles. One of the occupants of a car that was struck had to be taken to a hospital where she had surgery to address internal injuries. An analysis of Falkena’s blood showed that his blood alcohol content was 0.20%, which is two and a half times the legal limit. At the plea proceedings Falkenaadmitted to operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal limit and thereby causing another person serious physical injury.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Warwick Police Department whose investigation led to the arrest of Falkena.
“Intoxicated driving is a conscious, reckless and dangerous choice,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “This defendant’s criminal conduct caused serious and protracted injury to an innocent individual. Incidents such as this one are not accidents, they are serious crimes and perpetrators need to be held accountable. I hope that this case serves as a warning to those inclined to make the same senseless choice made by the defendant in this case. My Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of drunk and drugged drivers, particularly in those cases that result in injury.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District AttorneyPeter Fernandez.
This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.