CONVICTION IN DRUNK DRIVING CASE

DELHI - Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Frank J. Giacalone, 41, of Walton, New York pleaded guilty to Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E Felony, in Delaware County Court on April 14. The plea was entered as part of a negotiated disposition wherein it is anticipated that the defendant will be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison. 

This case arose from a 911 call where it was reported that a sedan had hit a fire hydrant on Mead Street in the Village of Walton, then backed up and drove away.  New York State Trooper Halit Vata responded to the call and observed a piece of the vehicle’s front bumper near the fire hydrant. Trooper Vata patrolled the Village of Walton and located a vehicle matching the description, that was also missing a portion of its front bumper, parked a short distance up the street from the fire hydrant.  After locating the driver, Trooper Vata performed standardized field sobriety tests and determined that the defendant was intoxicated. Trooper Vata was assisted on scene by Delaware County Sheriff Deputy Logan Flavell.  

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended New York State Trooper Halit Vata and Delaware County Sheriff Deputy Logan Flavell for their thorough investigation into this case. “Thankfully no one was injured because of this defendant’s dangerous decision to drive drunk in the Village of Walton. My office will continue to work with the New York State Police and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office to ensure that impaired drivers are held accountable.”