Police: drunk teen stole car, crashed

BENNINGTON, N.Y. (WIVB) - State Police say a 17-year-old from Wyoming County was driving drunk when he stole a car and crashed it into a tree.

Troopers were called to Rt. 77 in the Town of Bennington on December 1 and say they found a car abandoned after the driver had crashed it into a tree and apparently fled on foot. Police investigated and after speaking to residents and running the registration, determined 17-year-old Austen Berg of Darien Center was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

Authorities found Berg at a nearby residence and say he failed field sobriety tests. Berg was charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely and leaving the scene of the accident.

But State Police say they investigated further and found Berg had taken the vehicle he allegedly crashed from a friend's home without their knowledge. As a result, Berg was additionally charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Berg was taken to the Wyoming County Jail and will answer the charges in Bennington Town Court at a later date.