Conviction in Colchester DWI Case - 16 February 2025

COLCHESTER– District Attorney Shawn Smith announced today that Alison Ward, 27, of Randolph, New Jersey, appeared in the Town of Colchester (Downsville) Court on February 4, 2025, and pleaded guilty to one count of Driving While Intoxicated, an Unclassified Misdemeanor.    

Ward appeared before the Honorable Nona S. Lavorgna, Town of Colchester (Downsville) Court Judge, on February 4th and pleaded guilty.  Judge Lavorgna sentenced the defendant to a one-year conditional discharge.  As part of the conditions of her sentence, she will also have to attend a Victim Impact Panel and successfully complete an Impaired Driver Program.  The defendant’s license was revoked for six months, and an ignition interlock device will have to be installed on any vehicle she drives after that for a minimum of one year. If she violates the terms of her conditional discharge, she is eligible to be re-sentenced to one year in jail.

On July 14, 2023, Ward was pulled over by Town of Colchester Police Officer Richard Bell after he witnessed Ward cross the double yellow line on NYS Hwy 206, nearly striking a pickup truck head on and then swerving back over into her lane.  Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were then administered at the scene, and it was determined that Ward was impaired.  

Senior Special Assistant District Attorney David Rikard prosecuted the case.

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Town of Colchester Police Officers Richard Bell and Keith Gavette for their work in this case.  “My office will continue to partner with law enforcement to remove impaired drivers from our roads.”