Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announced today that Wendy L. Cook, (dob 7/11/70) of Saratoga Springs, NY plead guilty today regarding a crash that occurred on January 20, 2018 in the City of Saratoga Springs that resulted in serious physical injury to the operator of another vehicle that Cook hit head-on. Cook admitted to Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III, that she committed the offense of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a “Class E” felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 120.03(1).
Defendant Cook admitted today that on January 20, 2018 she was under the influence of heroin and cocaine when she drove her vehicle on Geyser Road in the City of Saratoga Springs. The police investigation revealed that the defendant, for no apparent reason, crossed from her lane of travel into the on-coming traffic lane and hit the victim’s car head-on. The operator of that vehicle suffered serious injury along with lengthy period of rehabilitative treatment and support. The investigation by the Saratoga Springs Police revealed that Cook’s 8 year old child, who was a passenger in her vehicle at the time, was improperly restrained in the back seat and was also treated for injuries as a result of the crash.
District Attorney Heggen noted “defendant Cook’s choice to operate a motor vehicle while impaired and under the combined influence of heroin and cocaine brought about a tragedy for all involved. Her terrible decision resulted in serious injuries to the operator of the vehicle she struck head-on as well as her own son”.
The defendant is expected to be sentenced on June 25, 2018 at 9:30 am to a prison term of up to three years. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick J. Campion of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.