Arrest After Investigation into Accident

COLCHESTER — Sheriff Craig S. Dumond announced that a months-long investigation into a three-car motor vehicle accident has resulted in the arrest of a Fallsburg, NY resident.

On the afternoon of December 10th, 2025, members of the Town of Colchester Police Department were assisting a disabled motor vehicle on State Highway 206 near Wilson Hollow when a vehicle operated by 21-year-old Shmuel Neuhaus, of Fallsburg, NY failed to reduce his speed as required by law when approaching an emergency scene.   As a result, Neuhaus was unable to avoid a collision, striking a vehicle that had slowed down in front of him. Neuhaus then struck the Town of Colchester Police vehicle, forcing it into the ditch. After striking both vehicles, Neuhaus’s vehicle then continued onward striking a guide wire before coming to rest.   

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene following a 911 dispatch, where they conducted a comprehensive investigation into the accident. During the course of that investigation, Deputies observed that Neuhaus showed indicators of impairment. Subsequent analysis, including the results of a blood test, confirmed that Neuhaus was impaired at the time of the crash.  

Following the investigation, Deputies submitted the necessary documentation to the Town of Colchester Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Neuhaus on February 25, 2026. 

On April 3, 2026, members of the Town of Fallsburg Police Department located Neuhaus and took him into custody on the warrant.

Shortly thereafter, Neuhaus was taken into custody by Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies who arrested and  charged him with Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd degree, Unlicensed Operator, Imprudent Speed, Failure to  Keep Right, Move from Lane Unsafely and Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, all in violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law. Neuhaus was additionally charged with four counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd degree, a class A misdemeanor of the New York State Penal Law.  

Neuhaus was held at the Delaware County Correctional Facility pending his appearance at the Centralized Arraignment Part Court (CAP Court).