State Police arrest Gilboa man after a crash that resulted in severe injuries

On March 5, 2023, State Police of Cobleskill arrested Michael J. Bernard Jr., 30, of Gilboa, NY, for Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  

On March 5, 2023, at about 4:10 p.m., Troopers responded to State Route 30 in Schoharie, NY, for the report of a head-on two-car crash with severe injuries. The driver of one of the vehicles suffered a severe injury to their arm, resulting in the application of a tourniquet by Troopers. They were transported emergently to Albany Medical Center for treatment along with the two passengers in that vehicle, including a child who both suffered minor injuries in the crash.  Bernard Jr. was identified as the driver of the other vehicle. He denied injuries and was taken into custody for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs.   

Bernard Jr. was transported to SP Cobleskill, where he was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). As a result of the evaluation, a sample was taken to determine the drug content in Bernard’s blood. He was processed and issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Schoharie Town Court on March 13, 2023, then released to a sober third party.