WINDSOR, NY — A 40-year-old man faces felony charges after his vehicle caught fire on Old Route 17 early Sunday morning.
New York State Police arrested Shawn Michael Kerwin of Windsor at approximately 1:45 a.m. on May 18, 2026, and charged him with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger less than 16, a class E felony under Leandra’s Law.
Troopers were dispatched shortly after 1 a.m. to a report of a vehicle fire on Old Route 17 in the town of Windsor.
Upon arrival, troopers found a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 fully engulfed in flames.
An investigation revealed that Kerwin was driving on State Highway 17 when he got a flat tire but continued driving.
After reaching Old State Highway 17, he saw sparks coming from the tire area, which ultimately caused the vehicle to catch fire.
Kerwin and his passenger, a teenager, safely exited the vehicle without injuries.
During an interview with Kerwin, a trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment and smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Kerwin was asked to perform standardized field sobriety tests, which confirmed impairment.
He was arrested and transported to State Police Deposit, where he was processed.
Kerwin was then transported to the Broome County Jail for centralized arraignment.
