Sussex man guilty of aggravated DWI

Christopher Heddinger, 49, of Sussex was convicted of aggravated driving while intoxicated and other charges after a four-day jury trial in the Village of Greenwood Lake Justice Court.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said on Nov. 30 that Heddinger is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 27. He faces up to one year in the Orange County Jail and the loss of his driving privileges.

During the trial, prosecutors said Heddinger was driving on Route 17A in Greenwood Lake on Nov. 8, 2022. A police officer saw his car speeding and crossing over the double yellow line twice into the opposing lane of traffic.

After the officer stopped the car, Heddinger agreed to take, then failed, a series of roadside sobriety tests. When brought to the Police Department, he submitted to a chemical test to determine his blood alcohol content; it was almost four times the legal level.

Heddinger also was charged with speeding and failure to keep right.

“Our roads are a shared resource, and we all deserve to travel free of intoxicated drivers,” Hoovler said. “This defendant chose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while severely intoxicated instead of calling for a taxi or choosing some other safe alternative. By doing so, he chose to place his interests before those of society.

“I am grateful that the police intercepted him before he caused grievous injury or death to some innocent motorist or pedestrian.”