19-Year-Old Drunk Driver Flees From Troopers, Found With Learner’s Permit and Nearly Twice the Legal Limit

Just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, State Police on Interstate 81 observed a Ford Escape traveling northbound at a high rate of speed and making unsafe lane changes.

Troopers attempted to pull over the vehicle, but police say the driver failed to comply and instead accelerated.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and the driver was identified as 19-year-old Jason Cougar Tran, of Cortland. During the traffic stop, troopers learned Tran only had a learner’s permit and observed signs of impairment. He was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which police say confirmed he was under the influence.

Tran was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the Third Degree, both misdemeanors. According to State Police, his reported blood alcohol content was 0.14%, almost twice the legal limit.

He was processed and issued appearance tickets for Barker Town Court next month.

State Police say there were three other passengers in the vehicle, all of whom were also intoxicated. They were not charged and were released to a sober third party.