Drunk driver nabbed in wild 3-county chase

A Dutchess County man led police on a chase that spanned three counties and more than 60 miles after he tried to run his girlfriend over with a pickup truck, State Police at Troop K said.

Matthew J. Ripo of Wappingers Falls was drunk and making "suicidal comments" during an argument with his girlfriend on April 9, police said. The victim called police when Ripo, 22, allegedly tried to run her over with his truck.

A trooper on patrol spotted Ripo in Austerliltz, Columbia County, heading north on the Taconic State Parkway at 9:40 p.m. The trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens, but Ripo wouldn't pull over, police said.

The chase continued for 35 minutes, with Ripo leading police from the Taconic to several interstate and local routes into Saratoga County. Police say the Wappingers Falls man hit speeds of 120 miles per hour while driving without his headlights.

Ripo was on Interstate 87 in Wilton, more than 40 miles north of Albany, when he lost control of his truck and crashed, according to police.

Ripo was brought by helicopter to Albany Medical Center, where he was treated for a broken arm and "serious" burns to his shoulder and arm. The injuries aren't life-threatening, police said. He'll face charges of felony first-degree reckless endangerment as well as misdemeanors on charges of fleeing from a police officer and driving while intoxicated when he's released from the hospital.