Oswego County prosecutor accused of driving after taking drugs, leaving crash scene

SANDY CREEK, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — An assistant district attorney for Oswego County has been arrested and accused of leaving the scene of a mid-morning crash while he was under the influence of drugs.

New York State Police confirm to NewsChannel 9 the arrest of 65-year-old Thomas Christopher after a crash in the Town of Sandy Creek around 10:30 Wednesday morning.

Trooper says Christopher left the scene after crashing his vehicle on Chipman Lane, hitting a large rock, landing in a ditch and hitting a culvert pipe.

Sources familiar with the investigation say Christopher admitted to investigators he took excessive amounts of prescription medication. It’s not known if the drugs were prescribed to Christopher or otherwise obtained.

District Attorney Anthony DiMartino confirms the arrest to NewsChannel 9 and adds that the prosecutor has been suspended.

DiMartino wrote: “I can confirm that Mr. Christopher was arrested earlier today. He is currently suspended from his duties as an Assistant District Attorney pending further investigation. As you may anticipate, a special prosecutor has been appointed to prosecute this matter. I cannot otherwise comment about pending charges.”

Christopher is charged with felony-level driving while ability impacted by drugs, for having a prior conviction within 10 years, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, no seat belt, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely.

State Police note a charge of Thomas having a prior conviction. The prosecutor resigned from the same job, as an assistant district attorney for Oswego County in 2018, after a DWI arrest.

Powered by News Channel 9.