BUFFALO, NY — New York State Police assigned to SP Buffalo arrested Austin Edward Payne, 30, of Buffalo, for Driving While Intoxicated on May 4, 2026.
Investigation revealed that shortly before 10 p.m., Payne was traveling southeast on the New York State Thruway (I-190) in a 2020 Jeep Cherokee when he failed to maintain the lane, traveling through the Exit 4 off ramp, striking the exit sign, and continuing over a concrete traffic divider onto the Exit 4 on ramp.
He then veered off the right shoulder of the on ramp, striking more signs and the guiderail before proceeding down a hill, rolling over multiple times before coming to a stop in a residential backyard on Selkirk Street in Buffalo.
Upon interview with Payne, troopers detected signs of alcohol impairment.
Standardized field sobriety tests were administered, which returned positive results for alcohol impairment.
Payne was arrested for DWI.
He was transported to Erie County Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Payne, who was also issued several uniform traffic tickets, is due in Buffalo City Court on June 5, 2026.
