Police: Washington County man drove on drugs, caused fatal crash

A Washington County man has been charged with criminally negligent homicide after police said he drove while on drugs and caused a crash that killed a 75-year-old woman.

Nicholas J. Normile, 29, of Fort Ann, allegedly stole a vehicle from a relative and then crashed into another vehicle. It happened on Tripoli Road in the town of Fort Ann on Aug. 7, 2024, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver of the other vehicle, Fort Ann resident Merrilee Howard, was severely injured and taken to Albany Medical Center. She died a few days later.

Normile initially arrested in August and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and grand larceny. The criminally negligent homicide charge was filed earlier this month, police said.  

Normile is scheduled to appear in Washington County Court at a later date.