High-speed chase in Bridgewater injures seven

BRIDGEWATER, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A Utica man faces several charges after leading Oneida County Sheriffs on a high-speed chase in Bridgewater on Friday night.

Oneida County Sheriffs were on patrol on Route 8 in the town of Bridgewater at approximately 5:30 pm on Friday, October 11. While on patrol, sheriffs say they observed a car traveling almost 90 miles an hour while unsafely passing vehicles. Sheriffs then initiated a traffic stop before the vehicle — operated by 23-year-old Jose Guevars of Utica — allegedly fled at a high rate of speed, forcing sheriffs to terminate the stop.

A short time later, sheriffs located Guevara’s car in heavy traffic on Route 8 in the Village of Bridgewater and attempted to stop him again. The vehicle allegedly fled again on Route 8; however, the deputy did not pursue him.

As Guevara was fleeing he allegedly passed several vehicles unsafely. Sheriffs say he drove over the sidewalk and cut off several cars. Guevara then allegedly sideswiped a northbound vehicle — driven by 27-year-old Crimercis Hernandez of Pennsylvania. Guevara’s side-swipe forced Hernandez’s car to collide with another car in a nearby parking lot. That forced another car — driven by 28-year-old Khinmaung Oo of Utica — to collide with both of those vehicles.

Guevara’s vehicle became disabled a short distance from the accident in a front yard. He was immediately taken into custody without further incident and was not injured in the incident.

Hernandez was not injured in the incident. However, the four children in her car suffered minor injuries and were transported to the Wynn Hospital in Utica.

Oo and their two passengers suffered minor injuries as well. They were transported to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.

Guevara was ultimately charged with the following:

• Two counts of third-degree Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, a Class A Misdemeanor,
• one count of second-degree Reckless Endangerment, a Class A Misdemeanor,
• seven counts of third-degree Reckless Assault, a Class A Misdemeanor, and
• 11 Vehicle and Traffic tickets, which include Speeding, Reckless operation, equipment, and moving violations.

Guevara was issued an appearance ticket as well as the above traffic tickets. All of them are returnable to the Town of Bridgewater Court at a later date.

Oneida County Sheriffs were assisted on the scene by the New York State Police, the Bridgewater and Clayville Fire Departments, and the Bridgewater, Edwards and West Winfield Ambulance Corps.

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