A driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated following a hit and run personal injury accident Jan. 20.
A Greene County sheriff’s deputy, firemen from Jefferson and Scranton, and Greene County EMS were dispatched at 5:10 pm to Highway 25 south of Scranton near 250th St. At the time, roads were slick and visibility was limited by blowing snow.
According to information from the sheriff’s office, Victoria Ann McCool of Ogden was northbound on Highway 25 when a pickup truck came out of the ditch and struck her vehicle. The driver left the scene. The Jefferson fire department used its mechanical extrication tool to remove McCool from her 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. She was transported by Greene County EMS to Greene County Medical Center for treatment. Her vehicle was estimated to be a total loss.
A description of the pickup truck and driver was provided to law enforcement, including the Jefferson police department. According the JPD daily report, a motorist saw the vehicle on West Lincoln Way in Jefferson and followed it to the downtown area. An officer attempted a traffic stop downtown, but the driver didn’t finally stop until the 400 block of N. Cedar St.
The driver, Michael Joseph Hofbauer of Coon Rapids, was first transported to Greene County Medical Center for evaluation for possible injuries. After Hofbauer was released from the medical center, he was arrested and charged with OWI-first offense and serious injury by motor vehicle, a class D felony.
A damage estimate for Hofbauer’s vehicle was not provided.
