All Over Albany

Alleged driver in Henry Johnson hit-and-run turns himself in, gambling org says casinos would bring jobs, car salesman arrested during test drive

It's February 29 -- leap day.

Albany police say the 19-year-old Bethlehem man who is the alleged driver in the Henry Johnson Blvd pedestrian hit-and-run turned himself in. The APD says Ian Eckhardt-Rigberg will be charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury auto accident resulting in death, which is a felony, as well as "several other" traffic violations. State Police say they were pursuing a speeding car on I-90 that night before the car exited at Henry Johnson. The APD says troopers stopped pursuit at the point, but allege Eckhardt-Rigberg went through the Henry Johnson/Livingston intersection at "a high rate of speed." Eckhardt-Rigberg had gotten three speeding tickets in a six-month period and was driving on a restricted license, according to the state DMV. [APD press release] [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]

Two of the accusers of former Syracuse basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine were at the state Capitol yesterday to push for a bill that would extend the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases. The bill has faced opposition from the Conference of Catholic Bishops because of a provision that would open a one-year window for alleged victims to sue regardless of the statute of limitations. A spokesman for the Catholic org says it doesn't oppose an extension of the statute of limitations, just the one-year window. [Fox23] [TU] [WTEN]

The latest drama over the state's new public ethics panel: whether the panel is under subject to oversight by the state Inspector General, which part of the executive branch (in other words: will legislators be subject to a watchdog ultimately controlled by Andrew Cuomo). Ellen Biben -- head of the panel and until just recently the state IG -- argued the panel would be independent. [TU] [State of Politics]

A gambling org study projects that full casino gambling will generate $3.3 billion in "economic output" for the state. It also asserts casino gambling would create about 400 jobs at the Saratoga racino. [State of Politics] [Post-Star]

The state's Office of Children and Family Services has been pushing to limit access to case reports regarding the death of children who have been reported as being neglected or abused. [NYT]

An audit by the state comptroller's office alleges a former state Office of Technology official negotiated a million dollar contract with a software company as he tried to get his girlfriend a job at the company, and then later also tried to get the company to hire him. [TU]

Two witnesses in the Troy ballot fraud trial testified that they either saw Ed McDonough forge an election document or participated in a scheme with him -- though one of the witnesses was apparently something less than convincing. [Troy Record] [WNYT]

A suspended Albany police officer was arrested by Glenville police for allegedly violating an order of protection relating to a 2010 alleged domestic incident involving a former girlfriend. [TU]

The defendants in the Northwoods nursing home trial did not take the stand in their defense. [Troy Record]

Mechanicville police say one person died in an overnight fire at a senior apartment complex. [YNN]

Colonie police say a car salesman was arrested during a test drive traffic stop Monday. [WTEN]

An anonymous group has been going after Neil Breslin in an attempt to push Albany County legislature chairman Shawn Morse for Breslin's state Senate seat. [State of Politics]

Nine of the top 10 earners among city of Saratoga Springs employees last year were police officers. [Daily Gazette]

City of Schenectady employees got into 98 accidents last year while driving city vehicles. [Daily Gazette]

The city of Schenectady has gotten to the go-ahead to start getting bids for the long-stalled makeover of Erie Boulevard. [TU]

Because of a lack of shelter space, Albany County has been housing homeless families in motels. [CBS6]

The chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is looking for public input on issues facing the county via an online survey. [Post-Star]

Troy police say The Irish Mist bar was at least 2.5 times capacity when officers responded to shots fired there early Sunday morning. [CBS6]
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APD: Henry Johnson hit and run

Albany police this evening arrested the driver from Saturday's hit and run accident that killed a 53 year old Albany man on Henry Johnson Boulevard.

Ian Eckhardt-Rigberg, 19, of 93 Fernbank Avenue, was charged with Manslaughter 2nd in connection with the accident that killed Rozell Whitehead of 98 Henry Johnson Boulevard. Whitehead was crossing Henry Johnson near the intersection with Third Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. when he was struck by a 2007 Toyota Avalon being driven by Eckhardt-Rigberg.

Whithead was thrown up onto the hood of the car and struck the windshield before hitting the pavement. He was transported to Albany Medical Center where he was pronounced dead of multiple internal injuries.

Eckhardt-Rigberg did not stop after hitting Whitehead and continued south on Henry Johnson. He showed up at Bethlehem police shortly after to report an accident and it was determined he was involved in the hit and run in Albany. He was turned over to Albany detectives.

Eckhardt-Rigberg was accompanied by his attorney late this afternoon to the Detective Division at South Station. He was booked and will be held overnight pending an arraignment tomorrow morning in Albany City Court.

He was also charged with Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Auto Accident Resulting in Death, which is a felony, and several other traffic violations.