Man arrested on DWI charge in Tonawanda

TONAWANDA, NY — A state trooper narrowly avoided being struck by a vehicle after jumping over a concrete barrier during a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 190 southbound.

James R. Phalen, 34, of Alden, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and other vehicle and traffic violations.

Troopers from State Police Troop T in Buffalo were dispatched at 7:20 p.m. July 1, 2026, to a one-car property damage collision on I-190 southbound at milepost marker 13.9.

At 7:38 p.m., a responding trooper was standing outside a marked State Police Charger with emergency lights activated when a 2014 Dodge Ram with a dolly trailer operated by Phalen struck a 2007 Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus then struck the State Police Charger, causing it to strike a 2025 Dodge Charger, which was the vehicle from the original collision troopers had responded to investigate.

The Dodge Ram came to rest on the right shoulder of the roadway.

The trooper moved from the center of the roadway and jumped over the concrete center barrier into the northbound side of travel to avoid being struck.

Phalen was uninjured and arrested for DWI by additional responding troopers.

Phalen refused a chemical test at State Police barracks in Buffalo and was issued appearance tickets.