Laboccetta charged as impaired

Saratoga County prosecutors have submitted substances found in trainer Frank Laboccetta's car after an accident Saturday to the state's crime lab under suspicions that the substances were illegal drugs, according to the county district attorney's office.

Karen Heggen, the chief trial assistant for the district attorney, said Wednesday that Laboccetta has been charged with driving while impaired. She said the substances sent to the crime lab had been taken from Laboccetta's car and from the trainer's clothing. She said it "would be premature to speculate" about the identity of the substances.

On Tuesday, the Saratogian newspaper reported that a state police officer said he believed the substance was heroin.

Laboccetta was involved in a two-car accident Saturday night on Route 9 in Wilton. According to reports, Laboccetta's car drifted into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a minivan.

Laboccetta was discharged from Albany Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon, according to the hospital.

Calls to Laboccetta were not answered Wednesday.

- additional reporting by David Grening