(Watertown, NY – Oct. 4, 2011) Francis T. Morgia II will be arraigned today, (Wednesday, Oct. 5) at 10 a.m. in the Town of Pamelia Court, located at 25859 NYS Route 37 in Watertown on additional charges.
On Monday Oct. 3 at approximately 5:10 p.m. Jefferson County 911 dispatched local police agencies to the Kohl’s Department Store in Watertown where it was reported that an 84-year-old female had her purse stolen, by force, by a male, and that male then immediately fled the store, entered a vehicle, and then left the store property.
Witnesses were able to provide a vehicle registration, and vehicle description. The 84 year-old, female was pushed to the ground, and sustained a minor laceration. She did not require medical attention.
Shortly thereafter, Glen Park Chief of Police Larry Jobson observed the suspect vehicle on East Main Street in the Village of Brownville. Jobson activated his emergency lights and siren, and the suspect vehicle failed to pull over to the side of the road, and a pursuit ensued.
The suspect vehicle proceeded to the City of Watertown, where it entered the city on West Main Street. During the pursuit, members of the Watertown Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and New York State Police coordinated to resolve the actions of the operator. During the pursuit, the fleeing operator drove in a reckless manner, operating at speeds, at times, well in excess of the posted speed limits.
The suspect vehicle proceeded onto Bradley Street and then onto Route 12. The suspect vehicle then attempted to turn right on to Route 342 in the Town of Pamelia. The operator lost control due to excessive speed, and struck a vehicle that was west on Route 342, stopped at the stop sign, waiting to yield the right of way to other vehicles.
Post collision, both involved vehicles came to rest in the ditch on the North side of Route 342. The operator of the suspect vehicle fled on foot into a wooded area North of Route 342, and was subsequently apprehended by Troopers.
The operator was identified as Francis T Morgia II, 48, who currently resided at the Travel Lodge in Watertown. The vehicle was registered to another person.
As a result of the collision, four occupants received injuries. Three of the occupants were transferred to SMC Hospital, Watertown. They were identified as: William K Rafferty, age 40 (Driver), Jeffrey C Hammond, age 46 (Front Passenger), and Shirley H Hammond, age 75 (Left Rear), all of Brownville. Shirley Hammond subsequently succumbed to her injuries at SMC. A post mortem examination is scheduled to determine cause and manner of death. Rafferty and Jeffrey Hammond were treated and released.
Right rear passenger Autumn Tharrett, 25, was airlifted to University Hospital, Syracuse, where she is in stable condition with a head injury. She resides in Onondaga County.
Francis T Morgia II was charged with second-degree Manslaughter, first-degree Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle and third-degree Robbery.
Morgia was arraigned in the Town of Pamelia Court and committed to the Jefferson County Public Safety building in lieu of $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond, pending further action by the Court.
Additional charges may be lodged at a later time upon consultation with Jefferson County District Attorney.
The investigation at this time continues.
