Driver accused of road rage hate crime pleads not guilty, released without bail

Police say Ryan was seen and heard on camera earlier this month threatening an off-duty Wallkill police officer and his teenage son with a knife during an alleged racist road rage incident in the City of Newburgh.

Blaise Gomez

Jul 1, 2022, 5:33 PM

Updated 891 days ago

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William Ryan, 60, walked past News 12's camera quickly Friday, without saying a word, while wearing an orange jumpsuit.
The Newburgh man was released from Orange County Supreme Court in Goshen without bail after pleading not guilty during his arraignment to multiple felonies.
Ryan was being held in Orange County Jail following his arrest and returned after court to collect his belongings before being released.
Police say Ryan was seen and heard on camera earlier this month threatening an off-duty Wallkill police officer and his teenage son with a knife during an alleged racist road rage incident in the City of Newburgh.
Lt. Robert McLymore caught the incident on cellphone video from the driver's seat as Ryan said he'd stab them, yelled racial slurs and falsely claimed to be a New York state trooper.
The court issued restraining orders on behalf of McLymore and his son.
Prosecutors said in court that Ryan had two prior DWI convictions and served jail time for attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
They said he was also previously wanted on a bench warrant and had multiple problems serving probation in the past.
Prosecutors said Ryan's criminal history wasn't enough to warrant bail for the charges under bail reform.
He's due back in Orange County Supreme Court August 11 at 10 a.m.
Ryan is charged with two counts of menacing as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon.