Rensselaer Falls man jailed following fatal bike-car crash in Canton Monday

CANTON -- A Rensselaer Falls man was jailed following a fatal car/bicycle accident on County Route 27 Monday night in which he fled the scene while driving with his ability impaired by drugs, according to Canton-based state police.

Police say Richard F. Morrow, 69, Canton, was struck as Daniel W. Lester was northbound on CR 27 in his 2011 Toyota Corolla shortly before 11 p.m.

Lester was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree vehicular assault, first-degree unlicensed operation, leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident, and driving while ability impaired by drugs with prior convictions, troopers said.

Morrow was riding a bicycle at the time and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death, police said.

Lester was sent to the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility on $7,500 cash bail, troopers said.

The investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing, in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County District Attorney's Office.