Thomas sentenced for DWI

Wednesday, July 1, 2015 - 12:09

Matthew Thomas

GUILDERLAND — A Schenectady man was sentenced on Tuesday to one-and-a-third to four years in state prison by Judge Thomas Breslin in Albany County Court for felony driving while intoxicated.

Matthew Thomas, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated on April 29, according to a release from the Albany County District Attorney’s office.

He was arrested on Jan. 31, at approximately 2:45 a.m., after Guilderland Police received a report of an erratic driver, and observed him failing to keep right on Western Avenue.

When Thomas was stopped, officers noted a strong odor of alcohol, and he failed field sobriety tests, the release said.

A review of his history revealed he was operating his vehicle on a revoked non-driver identification and had a previous suspension due to driving while intoxicated.

He registered a blood alcohol content of .21 on a chemical test.

In addition to his prison sentence, Thomas was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine; be subject to a license revocation of at least 18 months; install an Interlock Ignition Device in his car for at least three years upon release of custody; and attend a Victim Impact Panel, said the release. 

The case was prosecuted by Vehicular Crimes Unit Bureau Chief Mary Tanner-Richter.

Tags:

More Guilderland News

  • Novel explores shadows cast across decades by JFK’s victory — and death

    Peter Golden described the optimism he felt in his youth with Kennedy’s election: “The country’s going to move again … we’re going to dance on the moon and all these things people felt when he got elected — and quite the opposite of course is what happened. I wanted to try and explain that feeling of loss to my son and to my daughter-in-law and why their parents would look back in a different way than they do.”

  • Crossgates: After 2 p.m., anyone younger than 18 needs an escort

    The brawl was filmed and the video posted to social media. The video shows a man wearing a yellow jacket labeled “Security” standing back as the fight unfolds. Then a burly police officer, wearing a vest labeled “K-9 Unit,” wades into the melée, breaking up the fight.

  • 2024: A year when Guilderland planned its future

    The year 2024 was a time for both the town of Guilderland and the school district to look forward.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.