Harrisville motorist charged with manslaughter in fatality

GOUVERNEUR — A driver involved in an accident in which an 18-year-old Gouverneur man was killed in March was charged Friday with vehicular manslaughter.

State police here said Robin L. Fowler, 25, of 341 Orebed Road, Harrisville, also was charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated DWI in connection with the March 18 crash that killed Jesse J. McEathron.

Troopers said he was arraigned in Town Court and released on his own recognizance.

Mr. McEathron was driving north on Route 58 near Country Club Road about 11:15 p.m. March 18 when Mr. Fowler's vehicle crossed into his lane and struck him, according to archived reports. State police investigators said at the time that Mr. Fowler had been drinking at a Gouverneur bar earlier that night.

Mr. McEathron, a 2008 Gouverneur High School graduate, was pronounced dead at E.J. Noble Hospital.

Archived reports show Mr. Fowler was charged in 2006 with DWI and several other traffic violations after leading police on a high-speed chase in the town of Fowler.

He was convicted Jan. 17, 2007, in Town Court on a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired.

Mr. Fowler suffered a broken leg and internal injuries in the accident.