Impaired driving is being cited as the cause of two recent crashes in the Town of Ellicott.
Ellicott Town Police say one crash took place at an unnamed location shortly after 4:30 PM on June 20th. Officers say an investigation found that 62-year-old Mary Franchina of Jamestown was driving with a suspended license and was under the influence of alcohol. Franchina was also allegedly drinking alcohol while inside the vehicle. She was charged with DWI, 2nd-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. She was released with appearance tickets.
On June 24th, Ellicott Town Police were called to another unidentified location shortly after 12:00 PM. Officers say 30-year-old Jesse Pardue was driving under the influence of drugs when he passed out at the wheel, and his vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle, resulting in heavy damage to both vehicles. Pardue was later allegedly found to possess a quantity of methamphetamine. He was charged with felony DWAI-drugs due to having a previous conviction. He was also charged with 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and other vehicle and traffic violations. Pardue was arraigned and released with an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court.
