Police: Poestenkill woman drove drunk, fled scene after crashing vehicle

A Rensselaer County woman is facing charges for allegedly driving drunk and fleeing from the scene after crashing her vehicle.

State Police responded to a report of a rollover crash in the area of Weatherwax Road in Poestenkill on Oct. 6 just after 6:30 p.m. Witnesses saw the driver, later identified as 59-year-old Poestenkill resident Susan J. Benson, leaving the scene, police said.

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Forest Rangers assisted State Police in locating Benson.

She was taken to the State Police station, where she recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% — almost twice the legal limit for intoxication. Benson also did not have a valid driver’s license, police said.

Benson was charged with felony DWI because she has a previous conviction within the last 10 years. She was issued tickets and due in Poestenkill Town Court on Nov. 13.