A Cortland man was charged Sunday after a 19-year-old passenger was seriously injured when he fell from the bed of a moving pickup truck in Moravia, according to New York State Police.
Cody B. Carroll, 32, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, and first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child, a misdemeanor. He was taken to the Cayuga County Jail for arraignment.
Troopers from the Auburn barracks began investigating after responding to a Congress Street residence in the village of Moravia around 11:58 p.m. Aug. 19 for a welfare check. Police said they found the injured man with an apparent arm injury, cuts and other injuries.
The man was taken by ambulance to Cortland Medical Center and later transferred to Upstate University Hospital.
State police allege Carroll purchased alcohol and provided it to the 19-year-old and two other people before the group traveled to Ithaca and later returned to the Moravia area.
Investigators said the three passengers were riding in the bed of Carroll's 2020 Ram pickup while Carroll allegedly drove at a high rate of speed on Chestnut Ridge Road. The 19-year-old fell from the truck and was found unconscious in a ditch, police said.
Troopers located Carroll at a residence in the town of Locke on Sunday and took him into custody. State police said the investigation remains ongoing.
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