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Pal-Mac Schools call "Snow Day" due to a drunk driver

The SUV driven by Eric A. Goodwin sliced a power line near the entrance to the Pal-Mac School Bus Garage on Yellow Mills Road in Macedon.

Palmyra-Macedon school students were surprised to awaken to news on Wednesday that the schools were shut down. Why had Pal-Mac School Superintendent Dr. Robert Ike closed the schools, using one of the District's annual ‘snow days'? After all, there was nary a snowflake in sight. In fact a mild rain had been falling throughout the night.

Dr. Ike had been awakened by Wayne County Sheriff's Deputies at 3:50 a.m. on Wednesday. A driver, Eric A. Goodwin, age 23, of Erie Street Road in Macedon had been traveling southbound on Yellow Mills Road in Macedon, lost control of his SUV and sliced a power line in two, coming to a stop about 50 yards further in a field.

The accident knocked out wires and power in the area. The incident occurred in front of the driveway to the Pal-Mac Bus garage and shut down Yellow Mills Road for the next six hours.

The accident prevented Pal-Mac District bus drivers from going to work and allowing school busses out of the Pal-Mac bus garage.

By 4:10 a.m. Dr. Ike was on the phone to area television stations and was frustrated to learn that they only used their automated school closings for four or more schools in a weather emergency. The stations did, however, announce that schools would be closed that morning due to an accident.

Quickly hand-written signs were posted on all the schools entrances announcing the school closures for walkers and those arriving via their own transportation.

According to Dr. Ike, he used the last of the four planned snow days for the Wednesday accident and hoped the weather would cooperate for the rest of the season. Staff were told to report for work and Dr. Ike said they would be kept busy during the unplanned closure.

Goodwin was charged with Felony Driving While Intoxicated, Felony Breath Alcohol Content of .18% or greater and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. He also faces charges of Failure to Reduce Speed for a Hazardous Condition and after a quantity of marijuana was found in the vehicle, Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the 5th Degree and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. He was arraigned in Macedon Town Court by Justice Tom Crowley and remanded to jail on $2500 cash/$5000 bond. He was bailed out the same day. Records show Goodwin has a prior DWI conviction in Ontario County in 2006, making his current arrest a felony charge.

New York State Electric and Gas workers were on the scene and replaced the pole and restrung the power lines. Power was restored later Wednesday morning.