Hudson Valley Man Admits To Driving Drunk, High in Fatal Crash

A Hudson Valley man admitted he was very drunk and high when he crashed his car and killed his 22-year-old friend.

On January 31 around 3:25 a.m., 22-year-old John A. Playford of Saugerties lost control of his 2003 Jeep Cherokee while traveling south on Route 32 in Saugerties. Playford left the road and hit a pole.

The vehicle continued several hundred feet, crashing through a snow bank which caused the vehicle to go airborne.  The Jeep then hit the concrete steps of a home and crashed through a bedroom where two young children were sleeping.

After hitting the home, the Jeep overturned several times.

A passenger in Playford’s vehicle, 22-year-old Jacob Sweeny of Saugerties, was ejected from the vehicle.  He died as a result of his injuries.

On Thursday in Ulster County Court, Playford admitted having a blood alcohol content of .18 or higher when he was driving. He also confessed to being under the influence of weed.

Playford, who wasn’t seriously injured, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and reckless endangerment. He faces four to 12 years in prison when sentenced.

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