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RFH 2010, Colgate News

Man Who Threatened Suicide Tuesday Involved in 2004 Accident

Fri, Aug 13, 2010

Man Who Threatened Suicide Tuesday Involved in 2004 Accident

The man who threatened suicide on the Colgate campus Tuesday afternoon was involved in a high-profile fatal accident six years ago involving a youngster getting off a Stockbridge Valley Central Schools bus in the Town of Smithfield.

David Bennett was 17 at the time of the accident that killed 8-year-old Mallory Eddy on May 22, 2004. He lived in Oneida. Bennett was charged with first degree reckless endangerment, but was acquitted in a non-jury trial two years later.

His identity was confirmed by people familiar with Tuesday's incident.

On Tuesday, Bennett sat in his car on the turnout next to the Oak Drive on campus and threatened suicide. Police at the scene say Bennett had a gun.

The incident began about 12:30 p.m. and was resolved without incident about three hours later.

Hamilton Police were joined by numerous State Police, Madison County Sheriff's deputies including the K-9 unit, members of the Morrisville State College police and Colgate Campus Safety officers.

According to reports at the time, on May 22, 2004 Bennett, then 17, was driving a 1989 Ford Tempo when he was traveling west on Peterboro Road. After descending a hill, Bennett came upon a Stockbridge Valley Central Schools bus stopped in the road. The bus had its warning lights on and car was stopped behind the bus.

Bennett tried to stop behind the bus, but the brakes on the car are said to have failed. He attempted to avoid a collision by driving to the right of the bus on the shoulder of the road, but struck Mallory Eddy as she stepped off the bus. The car continued about another 80 feet past the bus.

State Police have not released any details about Tuesday's incident and if Bennett faces any charges.

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