Albany, NY – 72-year-old Thomas McGrath of Slingerlands pleaded Not Guilty to a 7-count indictment before the Hon. Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court. The indictment includes One Count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, One Count of Assault in the Second Degree, One Count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, One Count of Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combined Influence of Drugs, Two Counts of Reckless Driving, and One Count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree.

The indictment alleges that on or about May 11, 2023, while on State Route 85 in the Town of Bethlehem, McGrath recklessly drove under the combined influence of drugs, and caused the death of 17-year-old Michael Kleinke.

McGrath was released under the supervision of probation, and will next appear in court on July 2, 2024.

Assistant District Attorney Mary Tanner-Richter, the Bureau Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Jektyan are handling the prosecution of this case.

All parties are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty