Friends and family are rallying to help a 21-year-old Auburn man facing a long recovery after a serious early-morning crash in Cayuga County.
A Cayuga County man now faces DWI charges after state police say he crashed a pickup truck on Rockefeller Road in the town of Moravia around 2:15 a.m. Saturday. Troopers identified the driver as Robert Iszard-Michael, 20, of Aurora.
Several people suffered injuries when the truck left the road and landed in a ditch, according to New York State Police. One passenger suffered life-altering injuries and remains hospitalized.
A long road to recovery
The seriously injured passenger is Daniel Shaw, 21, of Auburn, according to a GoFundMe created by his family and friends. Shaw was riding home from a ski trip with friends when the crash happened.
The fundraiser says Shaw suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple facial fractures, a skull fracture, a fractured eye socket, and a spinal cord injury. He is undergoing extensive medical treatment and faces months of rehabilitation.
At 21, the page notes, Shaw should be focused on building his future — not managing mounting medical bills and recovery costs. The GoFundMe says donations will help cover medical expenses, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and living costs tied to his recovery.
The fundraiser has a goal of $18,000 and remains active.
DWI charges filed
State police said Iszard-Michael showed signs of intoxication at the scene. He refused field sobriety and chemical tests but later submitted to a breath test, which showed a blood alcohol content above .08 of 1%, police said.
Troopers charged him with misdemeanor DWI, operating a motor vehicle with .08 of 1% blood alcohol or greater, and operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol while under 21. He also received an infraction for unsafe lane movement.
Iszard-Michael was arraigned at the Cayuga County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
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