BENTON, N.Y. — Authorities have arrested the driver who passed a slow-moving farm tractor and sideswiped a van carrying 13 Amish farmers in upstate New York, killing five passengers and injuring 10 others.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle says 42-year-old Steven Eldridge, of Penn Yan, was arraigned Tuesday on charges including criminally negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and unsafe passing.
Eldridge, who was uninjured, is being held on $250,000 cash bail or $125,000 bond. He’s due back in court Friday.
Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike says all five of the dead were sitting in the front of the van when the crash happened Tuesday afternoon in the town of Benton.
The Amish group from Steuben County to the south was visiting other farms to learn techniques compatible with their religion.
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