Rhinebeck Man Charged With Aggravated DWI

On Thursday January 21st at approximately 10:45 PM a Red Hook Police Officer observed a vehicle traveling southbound on South Broadway driving erratically. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver accelerated and failed to comply. The vehicle attempted to elude police throughout the Village of Red Hook before fleeing southbound on State Route 9 towards Rhinebeck at excessive speeds over 90 MPH. The driver then fled to his residence on State Route 9 in Rhinebeck where he was taken into custody without incident. The driver, identified as Ryan P. Nichols, 29 years of age subsequently provided police with a breath test which resulted in a .23% blood alcohol content, nearly three times the legal limit. He was charged with Aggravated DWI, drunken driving, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and reckless driving, all misdemeanors, as well as numerous traffic infractions. He was processed and released on tickets to appear in Village of Red Hook court at a later date. The Red Hook Police units were assisted by the New York State Police and Dutchess County Sheriffs Office.