CHAMPLAIN — A Quebec man was arrested on impaired driving charges after crashing his vehicle while attempting to speed through a U.S. border crossing early Aug. 16.
Christopher Desrodier-Coronel, 34, of Laval, Quebec, was driving a black 2023 BMW X6 south at a high rate of speed through the Port of Entry on West Service Road in Champlain at approximately 1:04 a.m. when he failed to stop for inspection, according to New York State Police.
Desrodier-Coronel lost control of the vehicle, striking a gate and then colliding with a concrete barrier.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers provided immediate assistance at the scene and took Desrodier-Coronel into custody after searching him.
When state troopers arrived and interviewed Desrodier-Coronel, they observed signs of impairment.
He refused to participate in standardized field sobriety tests.
Desrodier-Coronel then began complaining of chest and arm pain, requiring transport to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for medical evaluation.
After being treated and released from the hospital, he was taken into custody by state police.
Desrodier-Coronel was charged with driving while intoxicated (refusal), reckless endangerment in the second degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
He was released on appearance tickets requiring him to return to Champlain Town Court in September.
After processing, Desrodier-Coronel was turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to address federal and immigration violations.
