GOUVERNEUR -- A member of the Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad is facing charges for allegedly causing a car crash while using an unauthorized red light on his vehicle which bore a fraudulent signature of the department’s director. He allegedly had a 3-year-old in the car at the time.

Derek Gordon, 25, was charged at 4 p.m. Tuesday with third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and child endangerment, both misdemeanors, and unlawful use of a siren, unauthorized lights with improper color, unsafely moving from lane and driving on the left of pavement markings, police said.

On Sept. 14, Gordon, a member of the rescue squad, was responding in his personal vehicle to an emergency call while using unauthorized red lights and a siren, police said. He allegedly possessed an unauthorized red light card, which bore a fraudulent signature of the rescue squad director, police said.

While traveling on West Main Street with a 3-year-old on the back seat, Gordon attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-pass zone and struck a vehicle driven by Kevin McBride of Gouverneur, who was waiting to turn left, police said.

Gordon was released with appearance tickets for Gouverneur Town Court on a later date, police said.