A 36-year-old man was arrested by NY State Police following a pursuit on the Taconic Parkway. The man intentionally struck five State Police cruisers and injured three officers before being apprehended.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at approximately 3:05 p.m., a New York State Trooper assigned to the Livingston barracks attempted to stop a 2010 Ford pickup traveling on State Route 82 in the Town of Livingston for violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. The driver failed to comply, and a pursuit was initiated, entering the Taconic State Parkway southbound.
The operator and sole occupant, identified as Stephen M. Preston, 36, of Cairo, NY, intentionally struck five marked State Police vehicles during the pursuit, causing damage to all five vehicles.
The vehicle was ultimately disabled following the successful deployment of a stinger device in the area of mile marker 53.1 in the Town of Pleasant Valley.
Preston was taken into custody and charged with the following:
- Five counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd, class D felonies
- Three counts of Assault 2nd, class D felonies
- Three counts of Attempted Assault 2nd, class E felonies
- Driving While Intoxicated, class E felony
- Unlawful Fleeing 3rd, class A misdemeanor
- Resisting Arrest, unclassified misdemeanor
Three members of the New York State Police sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Preston was arraigned in the Town of Milan Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Milan Court on March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
