Schenectady man could get life in prison after ninth DWI conviction

A 65-year-old Schenectady man with nine drunk driving convictions faces up to life in prison for crashing into a gas pump and driving over a motorcyclist.

Daniel Miller was found guilty on Oct. 31, after a jury trial on multiple charges stemming from incidents in 2022 and 2023.

On Oct. 22, Miller crashed his truck into a diesel pump at Stewart’s Shops on Mariaville Road in the town of Rotterdam, according to the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. He bought alcohol and cigarettes and did not notify workers of the damage. A store clerk reviewed store video and identified Miller.

Miller’s license had been revoked.

In a separate incident on April 21, 2023, prosecutors said was making a left turn into his driveway and drove into a motorcycle driven by 30-year-old Andrew Beckham. Beckham abandoned his bike to avoid the collision and Miller kept driving and drove over Beckman’s chest. He then went into his residence and did not help the victim or call for emergency services. He had multiple broken and displaced ribs.

In addition, on July 13, 2023, he was arrested on driving while intoxicated charge after consuming two “tall boy” beers, according to the DA’s Office.

At trial, Miller denied that he was intoxicated, but said he had a multitude of self-diagnosed medical conditions, according to prosecutors. 

District Attorney Robert Carney said these are Millers eighth and ninth DWI convictions. He has a total of nine felony convictions, 36 misdemeanor convictions and six prison sentences.

“He obviously couldn’t care about law and society and poses a clear and present danger to anyone who has the misfortune to cross his path,” Carney said in a statement.

Miller will be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025. If he is deemed a persistent felony offender, he faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 25 years to life.