NEW BERLIN – Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident Friday at around 2 a.m. The vehicle was in flames by the time the New Berlin fire department arrived. Richard S. Macumber, 26, Matin and Buttermilk Fall Rd., New Berlin, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with .08 of 1 percent blood alcohol level, speed not reasonable and prudent, and moving from a lane unsafely.

Sheriff’s deputies said Macumber was traveling on State Highway 8 in New Berlin, when his car suddenly left the roadway. Macumber struck a traffic sign, then proceeded to slam into a culvert, causing his car to become airborne until it was suddenly stopped by colliding with a tree. Macumber was knocked unconscious and his car at some point during the accident caught on fire and continued to burn. Two people passing by the accident stopped and pulled an unconscious Macumber from the flaming wreckage. The New Berlin fire department successfully put out the fire and Macumber was transported to Chenango Memorial Hospital and treated for “minor injuries,” said police.