POUGHKEEPSIE – A Cairo (Greene County) man is facing a dozen felony charges after leading state police on a high-speed chase through Columbia and Dutchess Counties on Wednesday afternoon. Three state troopers were injured during the pursuit.
Thirty-six-year-old Stephen Preston was allegedly intoxicated when troopers attempted to stop him on Route 82 in Livingston, in Columbia County at 3:05 p.m.
Rather than comply, police say Preston sped away in his pickup truck, heading south on the Taconic State Parkway.
During the pursuit, troopers deployed spike strips near Route 199 in Dutchess County, which deflated the fleeing driver’s two front tires. Despite the deflated tires, Preston continued south at speeds reaching 75 mph. A second set of spike strips was deployed near the exit for Route 44 in Pleasant Valley, causing the truck to spin out. Preston was subsequently taken into custody.
Preston, according to Trooper Krystal Paolicelli, intentionally struck five marked State Police vehicles during the pursuit, causing damage to all five. .
Preston was arraigned in the Town of Milan Justice Court on five felony counts of criminal mischief, three felony counts of assault, three felony counts of attempted assault, and felony DWI. He was also charged with misdemeanors of unlawful fleeing and resisting arrest.
Following his arraignment, Preston was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail on $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or $250,000 partially-secured bond. He is due back in Milan Court on March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
The injured troopers were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
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