District Attorney Hoovler Announces Prison Sentence in Drugged Driving Case
Nicholas Cicio Previously Pled Guilty to Vehicular Assault in the First Degree
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Nicholas Cicio, 31, of Newburgh, was sentenced in Orange County Court to one and one-third (1 1/3) to four (4) years in prison relative to his previous guilty plea to Vehicular Assault in the First Degree.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on January 18, 2024, police were dispatched to a location on Pulaski Highway in the Town of Goshen for a serious two (2) vehicle car crash. Cicio was identified as one of the drivers and police observed a blue powdery substance in his nose and other signs of impairment. Cicio failed standardized field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test was negative for the presence of alcohol. A drug recognition expert concluded that Cicio was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely because of his impairment. An analysis of Cicio’s blood showed the presence of numerous controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, Alprazolam and Hydrocodone. An occupant of the other vehicle involved sustained serious injuries which required extended hospitalization, surgery and physical therapy for a fractured wrist and fractured pelvis. At the plea proceedings, Cicio admitted to causing serious physical injury to another person by operating a motor vehicle while impaired by a drug.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Town of Goshen Police Department and the Town of Warwick Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
“Drugged driving is deadly driving and under no circumstances should anyone operate a motor vehicle while impaired,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The victim in this case is forced to live with the consequences of this defendant’s selfish actions. Our roadways are a shared resource, but with that comes a shared responsibility to operate a motor vehicle safely. I commend the thorough investigation done by law enforcement in this case which helped to ensure this offender was held responsible for his crimes.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District AttorneyMichael Roche.
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.