CICERO, NY — New York State Police arrested a man April 9, 2026, after a pursuit that ended with a stolen dump truck being driven into Onondaga Lake.
At approximately 2:11 p.m., State Police were notified by the Onondaga County 911 Center that the Manlius Police Department had attempted to stop a 2012 Ford F-550 dump truck for Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
A Trooper assigned to the Troop D Community Stabilization Unit located the vehicle traveling on State Route 481 in the town of Cicero and coordinated additional units before initiating a traffic stop.
The operator failed to comply when the Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle.
Stop sticks were successfully deployed, but the driver continued to flee for several miles on damaged tires at moderate to low speeds.
The vehicle briefly stopped on Steelway Boulevard South in the town of Clay, where two Troopers attempted to take the operator into custody.
The driver then accelerated, striking a marked State Police vehicle and causing damage to the front end and push bumper.
The pursuit continued into the village of Liverpool, where the vehicle entered Onondaga Lake and became disabled.
Following a brief struggle along the shoreline, the driver was taken into custody.
The operator, the sole occupant, was identified as Dennis J. Williamson, 43, of Rome, New York.
Williamson was transported to Upstate University Hospital for evaluation of minor injuries and subsequently released.
The investigation determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from Taberg, New York.
Williamson was processed at State Police North Syracuse and charged with Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, Driving While Ability Impaired with a Prior Conviction within 10 Years, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 1st Degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree and Resisting Arrest.
He was also issued 10 Vehicle and Traffic Law citations.
Williamson was subsequently turned over to the Manlius Police Department for additional charges, including Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, Reckless Driving and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree.
He was also issued 16 additional Vehicle and Traffic Law citations by Manlius Police.
Williamson had nine active warrants and was transported to the Onondaga County Court for arraignment and remanded to Onondaga County Justice Center.
