NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Joseph Vessechia, 27, of Yorktown Heights, NY was arrested on drunk driving charges on Thanksgiving after the vehicle he was driving, a silver 4-door Toyota Camry, struck a Union Taxi at about 8 a.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Echo Avenue.
A passenger in the taxi was seriously injured after being thrown from the vehicle. She was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where police say she is expected to recover from her injuries.
The taxi driver was not seriously injuries.
Vessechia suffered minor injuries and was taken to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. Hours later, after New Rochelle Police obtained a warrant to draw blood for evidentiary purposes to determine the his Blood Alcohol Content, Vessechia was placed under arrest and charged with Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree (Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired), a Felony, and Driving While Intoxicated First Offense, a Misdemeanor. He was released on $750 bail and is due back in court on Friday November 23rd.
The collision caused property damage. The taxi struck a wrought-iron fence at the corner of the Beacon Hall Co-op at 36 Echo Avenue, twisting the metal, before crashing into a city-owned pedestrian signal light on the sidewalk knocking it over into the street.
Both vehicles were taken to the New Rochelle DPW City Yard by Safeway Towing.