TOWN OF MAMAKATING — Traffic was backed up for hours on Friday afternoon by an accident on Route 17 in the Town of Mamakating.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Sullivan County 911 received several calls about a multiple-car accident on State Route 17 westbound just past the 113 Wurtsboro exit.

Witnesses reported that one of the vehicles had rolled over several times after being struck by another vehicle. The driver of the rollover vehicle was transported to Orange Regional Medical Center with serious head trauma.

Responding NY State Troopers from the Wurtsboro barracks located a 76-year-old Bethel resident in his 2003 Mercedes Benz. The vehicle was in the median.

Town of Mamakating fire/ambulance and Mobile Life personnel were on scene treating the victim.

Troopers interviewed Charles Peralo, 52 of Rock Hill, who was operating the 2016 Ford Escape that struck Nikola's vehicle. Peralo refused medical treatment, and was transported to the Wurtsboro barracks and arrested for DWAI - drugs, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree, and five counts of violating Public Health law section 3345 - possession of controlled substances not in the original container.

Peralo was issued an appearance ticket and directed to appear before the Town of Mamakating justice court on May 25 at 9:30 a.m.