City man charged in fatal crash
Gloversville resident killed in accident Sunday in MayfieldBy MICHAEL ANICH/ The Leader-Herald
MAYFIELD - A passenger in a car driven by an alleged drunken driver was killed Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Route 30 that caused three other injuries, Fulton County sheriff's deputies reported.
Deputies said James T. Borland, 20, of 40 Fourth Ave., Gloversville - a passenger in a 1992 Honda driven by Steven W. Bristol, 25, of 17 Alexander St., Gloversville - was transported to Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, where he died. Deputies said Borland suffered internal injuries.
The accident occurred at 3:07 p.m., south of Dennie Loop Road in the town of Mayfield, deputies said.
Bristol, who was ticketed on charges of driving while intoxicated and failure to keep right, suffered severe bleeding to his head.
Deputies said Bristol was northbound on Route 30 when he lost control of the car. The vehicle crossed into the southbound lane. A pickup truck driven by Joshua M. Lare, 34, of Guilderland, was southbound on Route 30, and it struck Bristol's car in the passenger side. Both vehicles went off the southbound side of Route 30, coming to rest in a small field, deputies said.
Sheriff Thomas J. Lorey said Borland and Bristol were friends.
Fulton County District Attorney Louise K. Sira said today she was not sure of the driver's exact blood-alcohol level until a blood test is released from the state police lab in Albany in a couple of weeks.
She said she's not sure if the DWI charge against Bristol will be upgraded.
"We're waiting for his blood analysis to come back," she said.
Lorey, who was at the scene of the fatal accident, said today the truck landed on top of the car.
He said his department is still investigating where Borland and Bristol were in the hours before the accident. He said Bristol may face "other charges" from the crash.
The other driver, Lare, suffered minor bleeding to his head. A passenger in that 1997 Chevy pickup truck - David J. Spiak, 50 - complained of a leg injury.
The injured were taken to Nathan Littauer Hospital for treatment.
The hospital switchboard said Bristol was still at the hospital this morning.
All four people involved in the crash used their lap belts and harnesses, deputies said.
Alcohol involvement was listed on the report by Deputy Michael Wagner as an apparent contributing factor.
Lorey said there may be two strong lessons to learn from this fatal accident.
"Number one, when it snows, it's slippery," he stated. "Number two, you can't drink and drive."
Sira said she was not aware of any other drunken-driving-related fatalities in Fulton County this year.
"We've been fortunate enough," Sira said.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald
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Debbie9947
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12-08-08 5:52 PM
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I worked with James this past summer,and grew to admire this young man. He was full of dreams and ideas and had a bright future ahead of him. He was a kind hearted soul who cared deeply for his family. He often spoke of his Mom and his dad,little brother and sister..and last month told me he might be going to Santa Cruz? to see his step sisters, he was very excited. My heart goes out to his parents, to his family. May god give them strength.
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Christine11
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12-05-08 1:27 PM
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And TeeBzz... if all you have to say is something negative about someone else who's morning the loss of a loved one keep it to your*****self.
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Christine11
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12-05-08 1:25 PM
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I'm sorry to everyone who was effected by this tragedy. James was my step brother and it had been a very long time since I'd seen him, he was coming out to California to visit my sisters & I next week. It would have been the first time we'd seen him in a decade. Now, all I have is a memory of a little boy and the phone calls and text messages we've shared over the last month. I'll never know what James looked like as a man. My only point in writing this is for everyone to realize that if you have someone you love you should tell them. If you care about someone but you've allowed time to pass without seeing them because "you can see them later" well, maybe you can tell them you love them later or see them later but maybe, just maybe, you won't be given the chance. Whether something happens to them or something happens to you, we are all going to die. Period. So don't let laziness or anger, or external circumstances take your chance away from you. I miss you James.
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displayname
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12-03-08 9:52 PM
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why don't you all open your eyes and see the most important part in this story, a young man died, a man with a good heart, with good intentions, who had his life taken from him by another. a man with potential, who was going to make something of himself, who was going to go far in life, and it all gets pulled out from under you in the blink of an eye. you should all take something from this and realize that you have to live life while its around, its short and sweet, so you have to make the most of it. rip james, fly high. and family, my heart goes out to you and you have the support of so many people, people who realized the good intentions of james that i saw in him.
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shutup30
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12-03-08 6:49 PM
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I do feel sorry for his family. But i feel that you are innocent until proven guilty.
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resident69
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12-03-08 8:54 AM
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It's not an accident when alcohol is involved. A tree falling on a car for no appearant reason is an accident. Driving to fast for road conditions is NOT an accident. People use the word ACCIDENT to freely. Yes only two know what happened in that car. Was his reflexes up to speed of someone that didn't drink that day? I am cold hearted to the point of not feeling sorry for people who violate the law. DWI is DWI. I'm not cold hearted to feel sorry for the dead guy and his family.
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shutup30
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12-02-08 5:16 PM
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First i would like to say, that both of the victims were very close friends of mine. I am so sorry for what happened but only two people will really know what went on that day. People that weren't there and dont know should keep their mouths shut. The world is filled with a bunch of cold hearted people. Accidents happen everyday NO matter if alcohol and ice was involved or not, thats why they are called accidents. That is what is wrong with the world today, people think they know everything, when really they dont. They stick their nose in places where it doesn't concern them. My heart goes out to the families that were involved. <3
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teebzz
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12-02-08 1:59 PM
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anyone else having trouble with AlyaRoss's attempt at heartfelt prose? ice and alcohol only go together well in a glass.
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resident69
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12-02-08 6:50 AM
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Look at the local "Justices" that were recently charged with DWI... they need to be removed ASAP. They cannot hold court over another when they themselves commit the crime. Maybe the alcohol in his system didn't play a factor in the mishap. Maybe it was just icy roads, but needless to say he failed the sobriety test. He made the decision to drink, then drive. Maybe he was driving too fast for the road conditions... how many times have you seen 4 wheel drive vehicles off the road because the driver thought that wouldn't happen to them..."Duh I got 4 wheel Drive!" Doesn't help on ice, been there...all 4 wheels slid jsut as nicely. May his friends family someday forgive him for this.
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Alexander
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12-02-08 2:09 AM
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Fulton county DA Nadine Albanese with her false identity needs to be charged
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AlyaRoss
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12-02-08 2:07 AM
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James T Borland AKA Monkey Boy was an amazing old soul of this earth.His father never remarried - I never remarried and No one in particular James and my daughters never forgot. They had been daily calling and texting, a visit was planned for next week. How this amazing old soul who once inspired me into contortions beyond reason, could have left is not fathomable. The last photo that he sent was that same day, An Icy Road: Imagine that! A “ Good Morning “ sent every day at 7 am; and an K loves u is the last we heard. The missing next morning message was the gap that we can never cross. The silence is defining…. Ice was in this case a slope to somewhere and death awaits us all some day. James did not die because there was alcohol in the blood, and yet many will be heard loud and long.. sliding on ice is as helpless a thing for an object as for hapless duck on a pond. I know that the proselytizers will holler just about now about alcohol and let them. However, drunk ducks do not s
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sierrasma
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12-01-08 9:00 PM
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My deepest sympathy to all. This is so senseless. Please learn, it should never matter what the weather is, dont drink and drive. There is no better way to say it. This is not something new, where it is taking time to catch on. This is so tragic and is for no reason at all. Jim you will be deeply missed. We are all so devestated that yet another tragedy has fallen upon your family. Please join together for prayer for all of the victims in this horrifying accident. I am so sorry.
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dogman12
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12-01-08 9:00 PM
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I saw this and it was very icy at the time ! No matter what or who you are ice is bad ! So sad .
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BlueCollarMan
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12-01-08 6:54 PM
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My heart goes out to all the people involved, however the Sheriffs Dept and the State Police work to get these people off the road, yet the court system fails from the DA to the Judges. They continue to slap these people on the wrist and turn them lose. They play lets make a deal. When are they going to get tuff? I know of a few people who have four and five DWIs… they get either drug court (what a joke) or probation. Look at Jennifer Cossart, she had two DWIs inside of a month yet she was still driving around instead of sitting in jail. Another case of lets make a deal and then she kills a guy…then it’s a big deal. Why does it take the death of a person for these DAs and Judges to take notice? Its time the people make the DA’s and Judges stop playing lets make a deal and start holding these people responsible for their actions. If the Sheriffs Dept and State Police do their job than why are the DAs and Judges not doing their job?
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Knickman
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12-01-08 5:08 PM
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Oliver, I am sure the sheriff did not intend for one of his points to take priority over the other. You cant say both at the same time.
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lucycat43
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12-01-08 3:21 PM
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So sad. I have a grandson the same age and have told him to never get into a car with someone who has been drinking and intends to drive. I don't care where he is, I will go get him. Too late for this young man. Condolences to his family. As for the driver, he should be charged with manslaughter and sent to prison.
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Blazedaddy
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12-01-08 1:30 PM
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I live at below Steve and was a friend to James. I am appauled that such a tragedy could have happened to such a young and vibrant person such as James. My heart goes out to the people whose time with James was cut short by such senslessness. I would have given them both a ride if they would have only asked!
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VABOYE
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12-01-08 12:42 PM
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IN CASES OF ACCIDENTS, AND TRAFFIC STOPS FOR DWI AND DUI, WHY AREN'T THEY TESTED FOR DRUGS? I AM SURE THERE IS FAR MORE DRUG ABUSE OUT THERE AS COMPARED TO ALCOHOL ABUSE.DOES ANYONE KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS?I ASKED A SHERIFF ONE TIME BUT HE DIDN'T GIVE ME A CLEAR CUT ANSWER EXCEPT IT WAS COSTLY.
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resident69
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12-01-08 11:58 AM
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I forgot to add my prayers to the Borland family as well! Totally senseless
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rachelrae33
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12-01-08 11:57 AM
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The only way people will learn is if the wrong doers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That should really happen in this case. Remeber Jennifer Cossart? She was arraigned in the hosiptal and handcuffed to her gurney. IF this kid was drunk then the same thing better happen to him. Myabe then people will start waking up, when they realize they won't get away with this irresponsible beahivor.
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rocky1
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12-01-08 11:53 AM
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This is so sad. Why do people think it will never happen to them?
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tacm01
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12-01-08 11:52 AM
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a 20yr old's life cut short for a senseless act. my heart goes out to the family.
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resident69
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12-01-08 11:29 AM
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Will people NEVER LEARN? You can't drive under the influence of Drugs or Alchol, no matter what you think your abilities are. Now he has to live his life knowing he killed his friend. Thay's why they have taxi's!
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Oliver
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12-01-08 11:27 AM
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No offense Sheriff Lorey but NUMBER 1 you can't drink and drive then Number 2 when it snows it's slippery. My prayers to Mr. Borland's family.
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