Daniel Miller, age 65, of Schenectady, New York was convicted on October 31, 2024, after a jury trial, of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of Motor Vehicle in the third degree, an unclassified misdemeanor, and Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Property Damage, a traffic infraction in relation to the incident that occurred on October 20, 2022. The defendant was also convicted of Driving While Intoxicated, a class D felony, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony, Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Incident, a class A misdemeanor, Reckless Endangerment in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, and Failing to Yield to the Right of Way on a Left Turn, a traffic infraction in relation to the crash that occurred on April 21, 2023. Finally, the defendant was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated, a class D felony, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the first degree, a class E felony, and Circumvention of Interlock Device, a class A misdemeanor, in relation to a traffic stop on July 13, 2023.
Approximately two years ago, on October 20, 2022, Miller went to the Stewart’s Shop on Mariaville Road in the Town of Rotterdam where he crashed his truck into the stand-alone, high-flow diesel pump, causing damages in the amount of $1,194. He then went into the store where he purchased alcohol and cigarettes and left without notifying any worker or law enforcement of the damage. He instead, returned to his vehicle and proceeded to drive away while knowing his license to drive had been revoked. The store clerk was able to identify his vehicle plate by reviewing store video. The defendant was subsequently charged for driving with a revoked license.
On April 21, 2023, Miller again drove to his residence while he was intoxicated and while knowing his license to drive was revoked. He was making a left-hand turn into his driveway, when he turned in front of the victim, Andrew Beckham, age 30, who had been approaching on his motorcycle from the opposite lane of traffic. Beckham reacted quickly and “dumped his bike” to avoid a head on collision. In doing so, Beckham began to slide along the road. The defendant then proceeded to drive directly over Beckham’s chest, who was now underneath the defendant’s vehicle. In doing so, the defendant’s actions resulted in breaking and displacing multiple ribs of the victim. After the crash, the defendant continued to drive approximately fifty (50) feet away from the scene of the crash to the top of his driveway where he exited his truck and went inside his residence. The defendant failed to call for emergency services and failed to aid the victim or provide him with any identifying information. The victim sustained injuries including multiple broken and displaced ribs, and extensive road rash. Other motorists however, rendered assistance to him and called 911. Mr. Miller was then arrested by members of the New York State Police.
On July 13, 2023, Miller again drove while he was intoxicated and while knowing his license to drive was revoked. After leaving a bar where he consumed two “tall boy” beers, and two shots of alcohol, Miller was stopped on a vehicle and traffic matter. Upon interdiction with the officer, Miller exhibited signs of intoxication. As with the April arrest, Mr. Miller refused to submit to blood alcohol testing.
At trial, Miller testified he was not intoxicated but rather suffers from a multitude of self-diagnosed medical conditions.
District Attorney, Robert Carney stated: “By our analysis of his criminal record, these two latest alcohol related driving charges are Mr. Miller’s eighth (8th) and ninth (9th) convictions for that crime and the first from Schenectady County. He has a total of nine (9) felony convictions (one being a violent felony assault), thirty-six (36) misdemeanor convictions, and six (6) separate state prison sentences. He obviously couldn’t care less about law and society and poses a clear and present danger to anyone who has the misfortune to cross his path. In her trial presentation, ADA Mareno did an excellent job in proving Mr. Miller’s guilt of every charge he faced, without the Jury knowing about his career in crime. But now that we can talk about it, we will ask Judge Sypniewski to sentence Mr. Miller for his conduct here and for his life of crime to life behind bars.”
Due to his status as a discretionary persistent felony offender, Miller faces between a minimum of fifteen (15) years to life and twenty-five (25) years to life in prison on each count of felony Driving While Intoxicated. If persistency is not granted, Miller faces a maximum sentence of two and one-third (2 1/3) to seven (7) years on each felony Driving While Intoxicated charge, which can run consecutively to one another. Persistency status will be decided on January 8, 2025, when the case is scheduled for sentencing.
The trial was presided over by the Honorable Matthew J. Sypniewski. The case was prosecuted by ADA Marlena Mareno and ADA Nicolaus McDonald with a great deal of assistance from DA Investigator Ryan Maloney and the New York State Police. Attorney Kyle Davis represented the defendant.