Greenwood Lake man accused of trying to drive family off cliff

BY ERIKA NORTON
GREENWOOD LAKE — After an alleged violent domestic assault, a Greenwood Lake man is accused of trying to drive his wife and young daughter off a cliff in Warwick.
Warwick Police said August A. Melish, 37, of Greenwood Lake, assaulted his wife on Sunday, April 22 — obstructing her breathing by choking her and putting a pillow over her head in an attempt to smother her.
The victim then left the house Monday with her four-year-old daughter to stay at a relative’s house in Bellvale, according to Warwick Police Lt. Thomas Maslanka.
'Please don't kill mommy'Later that day, Melish allegedly drove to the relative’s house and became violent, slapping the wife and choking her, Maslanka said.
At that point, police said a family member tried to intercede. The victim locked herself and her daughter in the bathroom. While a family member called 911, Melish broke down the bathroom door, drag his wife and daughter into a car and drove away, according to police.
Melish drove up the mountain onto Kain Road, allegedly attempting to drive the car off the road into the ravine by Bellvale Farms Creamery. The victim told police her daughter was shouting, “Please don’t kill mommy.”
Police said the wife was able to grab the steering wheel and turn the car away from the cliff and crashed it. According to police, Melish allegedly began to assault his wife again. A bystander then drove up to the scene to try to help until police arrived and arrested Melish.
“Had she not taken action to save herself and her daughter,” Maslanka said, “he likely would have done what he said and drive off that steep ravine.”
ChargesMelish is charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, both felonies. He also is charged with second-degree attempted assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and obstructing breathing, all misdemeanors.
Melish was arranged by Warwick Town Justrice Peter Barlet and was sent to the Orange County Jail on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. The case is pending Grand Jury action.
The wife was treated at the scene for cuts and bruises and the four-year-old was not injured "other than being terrified," Malanka said.
Police had not responded to domestic disputes at this home before, Malanka said.