INDICTMENT UNSEALED IN VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER CASE

DELHI – Delaware County District Attorney, Shawn J. Smith, announced that the Delaware County Grand Jury returned an 8 Count Indictment against Joseph Bellows, Jr. 54, of Downsville on September 4. The Indictment stems from a motor vehicle crash that took place on State Route 30 in the Town of Hancock, on July 17, 2025. Jason T. McGlone, a fireman that initially responded to the scene, was killed while trying to render assistance.  

Count One alleges that the defendant was operating his vehicle in excess of the posted speed limit at the time of the crash. 

Count Two alleges that the defendant was using his cell phone while operating his vehicle at the time of the crash. 

Count Three alleges that the defendant was intoxicated while he was operating his motor vehicle, an Unclassified Misdemeanor in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1192 (3).

Count Four alleges that the defendant was intoxicated per se and had a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal limit at the time of the crash. This is an Unclassified Misdemeanor in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1192 (2). 

Counts Five and Six each allege that the defendant committed the crime of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony.  Count Five states that the defendant operated his vehicle in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192 (2), (having a blood alcohol content greater than .08%) and as a result of such intoxication per se, he operated the motor vehicle in a manner that caused the death of Jason T. McGlone.  Count Six also charges Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree based on a violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192 (3). 

Count Seven alleges that the defendant committed the crime of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony.  That charge alleges that the defendant acted recklessly on July 17, 2025, and thereby caused the death of Jason T. McGlone. 

Count Eight alleges that the defendant committed the Class A Misdemeanor of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree by recklessly damaging the property of another in an amount exceeding $250.00 dollars. 

Manslaughter in the Second Degree is the most serious charge in the Indictment.  If the defendant is convicted of that count, he faces a maximum sentence of between five to fifteen years in state prison.  

District Attorney Shawn Smith commends New York State Police Investigator Jamie Cuff and Senior Investigator William Baumgartner for their thorough investigation into this tragic death.   

Indictments and Criminal Complaints are merely allegations.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. 

Shawn J. Smith 

District Attorney 

Delaware County