The man accused of seriously injuring a Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy in a high-speed, wrong-way crash on Route 17 in Vestal in February is turning down a plea deal while the Deputy he is accused of injuring is honored by the New York State Senate.

Photo: Broome County Sheriff's Office
Photo: Broome County Sheriff's Office
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34-year-old Daniel Butash of Endwell rejected a deal that would avoid a trial and send him to prison for five to 25 years.  He’s charged with felony counts of assault, aggravated vehicular assault and reckless endangerment and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and reckless driving among other counts for the February 1 crash.

Police responded to a report of a Tesla traveling at a high rate of speed, the wrong way on Route 17 at 1:30 in the morning when the vehicle smashed into the Broome County Sheriff’s Sport Utility Vehicle driven by Deputy Kristy Botsford.  She was pinned in the S-U-V in below freezing temperatures for over an hour.

Botsford has been named 2019 Woman of Distinction for the 52nd New York State Senate District.

Photo: Broome County Sheriff's Office
Photo: Broome County Sheriff's Office
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Senator Fred Akshar, himself a former Sheriff’s Deputy, presented the award that recognizes women who have enriched the quality of life in their community and across New York.

Botsford continues her recovery and is expected to continue her career with the Sheriff’s Office.

No date has been set for Butash's trial.

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