Remsen Man Claims Deer Ran in Front of Him, Went for a Beer After Crash

Sheriffs caught up with a Remsen man who crashed his vehicle after he claimed that a deer ran in front of him.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office says the man's car was found along Route 274 just north of Holland Patent in the Town of Trenton after 6:30am on Sunday, September 28, 2014.

Deputies say that there were signs of injury inside, although no one was in the car.   They tracked down to owner, Herbert Rockwell, and arrived at his home with fire officials from the Remsen Fire Department and Prospect Ambulance.  Rockwell had facial injuries, a "severe laceration" on his right ear, and several cuts on his legs.  He was brought to St. Elizabeth Medical Center for treatment.

Rockwell allegedly told authorities that he crashed at about 3:30am after swerving to avoid a deer.  He said that he was travelling southbound at the time and lost control, hitting a tree on the east shoulder of Route 274.  He told deputies that he lost consciousness and, when he woke up, decided to walk home and then drink a few beers.  Rockwell said that he had not been drinking prior to the accident.

Deputies were not, however, able to locate any signs of Rockwell attempting to brake in order to avoid a deer.  He was given traffic tickets for failing "to maintain lane" and one for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.