Thursday, September 2, 2010 By Chris Mckenna - Times Herald Record

MONROE — A volunteer ambulance driver veered off Route 17M and rolled his rig on the roadside early Monday morning while taking an idle spin, according to Village of Monroe police.

Paul Casson, 30, told police he had taking the sleeping drug Ambien before his fateful ride, which ended in a grassy field at about 12:55 a.m. They are awaiting toxicology tests to confirm that account.

Casson, who was not responding to a call at the time, has been charged with driving while impaired by drugs and unauthorized use of a vehicle – both misdemeanors – and released to await further court action. He lives in the Bronx but has continued to drive for the Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps, according to Monroe Police Chief Dominic Giudice.

The accident happened across the street from the ambulance corps garage. Police say the vehicle appeared to be totaled.