Moreau Man Guilty of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide

BALLSTON SPA —

A Saratoga County jury has returned a verdict finding a Moreau man guilty of several charges in connection with the death of a 33-year-old tow truck driver last September that occurred on the Northway in the town of Wilton.

During a near three-week trial, the evidence showed that on September 15, 2022, Justin Rodriguez struck and killed Alex Bleickhardt on the northbound shoulder of I-87 between exits 15 and 16, according to a statement released by the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office.

Rodriguez was driving a 2008 work truck at the time, despite his driver’s license having been permanently revoked due to four prior drunk driving convictions. He also illegally possessed a loaded semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle.

Prior to the crash on the Northway, Rodriguez visited the Applebee’s restaurant in Wilton “where he consumed excessive amounts of alcohol and showed signs of severe intoxication,” according to the district attorney’s office. Despite pleas from citizens to not drive, Rodriguez, claiming he was not afraid to go back to prison, left the restaurant and proceeded to drive recklessly through the parking lot at a high rate of speed and entered the Northway where he swerved across lanes, according to witnesses. As he approached a disabled box truck attended to by Bleickhardt, Rodriguez made no effort to move over, slow down or avoid the collision and rear-ended the box truck, leading to Bleickhardt’s death.

Rodriguez’ blood-alcoholcontent was 0.26% at the time of the crash, and additionally had cocaine and cannabis in his system, according to the district attorney’s office.

The jury verdict found Rodriguez guilty of three counts aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, two counts criminal possession of a weapon, two counts DWI, aggravated DWI, driving while impaired, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, leaving the scene without reporting property damage, and a violation of the Move Over Law.

The Move Over Law requires drivers to exercise care and safely move to an adjacent lane when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with its flashing lights activated.

Rodriguez faces up to 25 years in prison on the aggravated vehicular homicide charge. Sentencing is Sept. 14.