Police charge suspect's son in Morristown crash & fire

MORRISTOWN — State police said they have changed their minds about who was the driver of a car that crashed into a tree and caught fire Nov. 2. The flames spread to a house at 462 Gilmore Road, which was destroyed.

Troopers initially charged Donald C. Gilbo Sr., 47, of 228 Haggart Road, Ogdensburg, with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to report an accident, speeding and having one license plate on a vehicle.

On Tuesday, they charged Mr. Gilbo's son, Donald Jr., 23, with second-degree reckless endangerment, and multiple traffic tickets. He was arraigned in Morristown Town Court and ordered held in the St. Lawrence County jail on $5,000 bail. Additional charges are expected.

Further investigation led to charges Friday of making false written statements and obstruction of governmental administration against Mr. Gilbo Sr, police said. He is to appear in Oswegatchie Town Court.

The car was registered to the younger Mr. Gilbo.

The accident destroyed the car and the house, where Rose Schroh and three others lived. The car exploded, igniting the house's side deck and spreading to the rest of the home. A cat was killed.