Assault charge is dismissed against dentist in DWI case

POTSDAM — An assault charge against a village dentist has been dismissed.

Jeffrey G. Foerster, 54, of 25 Livingston Road, West Stockholm, was charged Aug. 16 with aggravated driving while intoxicated, second-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Dr. Foerster is accused of crashing his car Aug. 16 on Russell Turnpike Road in the town of Parishville.

Dr. Foerster then reportedly wrestled with St. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies, breaking his finger in the scuffle, when they found him at the impound lot in the village of Potsdam where police had brought the vehicle.

Deputies said Dr. Foerster registered a blood alcohol content of 0.23 percent, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent under state law.

Aggravated DWI is charged when the BAC is 0.18 percent or more.

Dr. Foerster also was charged with speeding.

The felony second-degree assault charge was reduced Wednesday in Potsdam Village Court to a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault.

Prosecutors then moved to have the third-degree assault charge dismissed, court officials said.

Defense attorney Charles B. Nash is contesting the resisting arrest charge in Potsdam Village Court. A hearing date hasn't been set.

The aggravated DWI and speeding charges are pending in Parishville Town Court.