(Photo provided by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office).
On February 7, 2020 at approximately 1:14 am, Officer’s from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash, with injuries, on Route 215 near Bennie Road in the Town of Cortlandville.
Aliester B. Wells-Burlingame, 29, of Ithaca, was operating a 2007 Nissan Sentra north of Route 215 when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road. He crossed over the other lane of traffic, went off the roadway, and sheared a utility pole, causing power lines to come down into the roadway.
Route 215 was closed for approximately two hours while the scene was cleared and the power lines were removed from the roadway. The vehicle operator was evaluated at the scene by TLC Ambulance and the two passengers were transported by TLC Ambulance to Guthrie-Cortland Medical Center for evaluations and with only minor injuries reported.
Mr. Wells-Burlingame was found to be intoxicated and arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
According to the Cortland County Sheriff's Office, Mr. Wells-Burlingame is being charged with:
- Felonies: Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Intoxicated .08% BAC or higher, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the first Degree.
- Misdemeanor: Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
- Violations: Unlawful Possession of Marihuana in the Second Degree, Speed Not Reasonable Prudent, Drove Across Hazard Markings, and Unlicensed Operator.
A passenger inside the vehicle was less than seventeen years old resulting in the Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge. He had previously been convicted of a driving while intoxicated within the last 10-years. Mr. Wells-Burlingame was released on appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Cortlandville Court on February 24, 2020 at 1 pm. The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by TLC Ambulance, Cortlandville Fire Department, CNY Towing and National Grid.
