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A 54-year-old man named Curtiss Upham is facing multiple charges after leading Onondaga County deputies on a chase that temporarily shut down parts of Interstate 81 and 481 in Cicero. The incident began on Friday (March 7) in the town of Onondaga when Upham reportedly threatened someone with a gun at a Planet Fitness location.
Authorities spotted Upham's 2024 Chevy Silverado at the intersection of East Brighton Avenue and South Salina Street shortly after the initial report. Deputies attempted a traffic stop on Interstate 481 North, but Upham fled, leading them on a pursuit that spanned several highways. He finally stopped on I-81 North near Driver's Village in Cicero, where deputies took him into custody. During the chase, I-81 was closed in both directions due to the potential threat of a firearm, as deputies believed Upham was armed. Upon his arrest, deputies recovered two pistols from his vehicle.
Upham was hospitalized due to a "high level of intoxication" from alcohol and remained under deputy supervision for five days. He is facing felony charges, including two counts of criminal possession of a firearm and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Additionally, Upham is charged with driving while intoxicated, menacing, fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, and various traffic violations.
According to CNY Central, Upham is expected to be released from the hospital and transferred to the Onondaga County Justice Center, where he will await arraignment. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.