| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Arrest
November 30, 2009
Canaan, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David W. Harrison, Jr. and Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael A
Cozzolino report that on November 14th 2009, 72 year old Robert Meehan of Chatham, NY died as a result of
injuries he sustained in an automobile accident at the intersection of NYS Rte 22 and 295 in the Town of
Canaan on September 25th, at 8:43pm.
A 2008 Pontiac Vibe, operated by 17 year old Lars C. Haas, of Pooles Hill Road, New Lebanon, was
northbound on Rte 22 and failed to stop for a red traffic light at the intersection and crashed into the side of
Mr. Meehan’s vehicle which had a green light. Mr. Meehan was ejected from his 2001 GMC Pick-Up truck at
the time of the accident.
The vehicle Haas was operating is owned by his mother, Susan Haas. She was not in the vehicle at the time
of the accident. Haas and two other teenage passengers in his vehicle were transported to Bekshire Medical
Center with serious injuries. Deputy Sheriffs found several cans of beer in the Haas vehicle at the time of the
accident.
As a result of the investigation, it appears that at the time of the accident Haas sped up as he approached
the intersection and traffic light. Other witnesses to the accident indicate that the traffic light was red as the
Haas vehicle came to the intersection.
Additionally, a blood test by the NYS Police Laboratory indicates that Haas had a Blood Alcohol Content of at
least .08%. The blood test result was also positive for Marihuana.
Also, it appears that within approximately two hours before the accident, Haas and one passenger had drank
alcohol at the Haas residence with his Mother, Susan Haas and other individuals, at least two of which were
underage.
Haas turned himself in with his attorney at the Sheriff’s Office Monday, November 30th at 9:00am and was
formally charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a class B-Felony, Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a
class C-Felony, Driving While Intoxicated, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a BAC of .08% or More, Driving
While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Alcohol, Reckless Driving,
Passing in a No Passing Zone and Passing a Red Traffic Light.
As a result of Susan Haas allowing three underage individuals to drink alcoholic beverages at her residence
with her present on the evening of September 25, 2009, she was arrested and charged at the same time as
her son, with three counts of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child, a class A-Misdemeanor.
Both were arraigned before Canaan Town Judge Delena Schaefer. Susan Haas was Released on Her Own
Recognizance to return to New Lebanon Court on December 3rd. Lars Haas was remanded to the county jail
in lieu of $25,000 Cash Bail and $50,000 Bail Bond to return on December 3rd to Canaan Court.
The arrests were made by Sr/Inv Kevin Skype and Investigators Patrick Logue and Resident Deputy Sheriff
Todd Hyson. The investigation is continuing by Sheriff’s Investigators and the Columbia County District
Attorney’s Office.
November 30, 2009
Canaan, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David W. Harrison, Jr. and Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael A
Cozzolino report that on November 14th 2009, 72 year old Robert Meehan of Chatham, NY died as a result of
injuries he sustained in an automobile accident at the intersection of NYS Rte 22 and 295 in the Town of
Canaan on September 25th, at 8:43pm.
A 2008 Pontiac Vibe, operated by 17 year old Lars C. Haas, of Pooles Hill Road, New Lebanon, was
northbound on Rte 22 and failed to stop for a red traffic light at the intersection and crashed into the side of
Mr. Meehan’s vehicle which had a green light. Mr. Meehan was ejected from his 2001 GMC Pick-Up truck at
the time of the accident.
The vehicle Haas was operating is owned by his mother, Susan Haas. She was not in the vehicle at the time
of the accident. Haas and two other teenage passengers in his vehicle were transported to Bekshire Medical
Center with serious injuries. Deputy Sheriffs found several cans of beer in the Haas vehicle at the time of the
accident.
As a result of the investigation, it appears that at the time of the accident Haas sped up as he approached
the intersection and traffic light. Other witnesses to the accident indicate that the traffic light was red as the
Haas vehicle came to the intersection.
Additionally, a blood test by the NYS Police Laboratory indicates that Haas had a Blood Alcohol Content of at
least .08%. The blood test result was also positive for Marihuana.
Also, it appears that within approximately two hours before the accident, Haas and one passenger had drank
alcohol at the Haas residence with his Mother, Susan Haas and other individuals, at least two of which were
underage.
Haas turned himself in with his attorney at the Sheriff’s Office Monday, November 30th at 9:00am and was
formally charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a class B-Felony, Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a
class C-Felony, Driving While Intoxicated, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a BAC of .08% or More, Driving
While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Alcohol, Reckless Driving,
Passing in a No Passing Zone and Passing a Red Traffic Light.
As a result of Susan Haas allowing three underage individuals to drink alcoholic beverages at her residence
with her present on the evening of September 25, 2009, she was arrested and charged at the same time as
her son, with three counts of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child, a class A-Misdemeanor.
Both were arraigned before Canaan Town Judge Delena Schaefer. Susan Haas was Released on Her Own
Recognizance to return to New Lebanon Court on December 3rd. Lars Haas was remanded to the county jail
in lieu of $25,000 Cash Bail and $50,000 Bail Bond to return on December 3rd to Canaan Court.
The arrests were made by Sr/Inv Kevin Skype and Investigators Patrick Logue and Resident Deputy Sheriff
Todd Hyson. The investigation is continuing by Sheriff’s Investigators and the Columbia County District
Attorney’s Office.