APD: driver smashes and crashes through Center Square
Albany police say they arrested a man after he allegedly careened his vehicle through Center Square last night, crashing into seven cars. The APD says Giri Gautam first rear-ended a Camaro on Lark Street "so hard, that the Camero's rear bumper was on [Gautam's] windshield. The impact also caused the Camero to collide with two other vehicles." Gautam then allegedly made his way down State Street, took a right on Dove, and sideswiped more cars before coming to a stop at Dove and Madison. The APD says his BAC was .20 (legal limit is .08). More details post jump.
APD DWI Arrest
Albany police arrested a 24 year old Morris Street man last night after he crashed into seven cars and refused to stop for the police.
Officer Steven Silver, was driving north on Lark Street, when the crew from Albany Fire Departments Engine 1, flagged him down at the intersection of Lark and State Streets around 10:45 p.m., where an accident had just occurred, and a black Chevrolet Camero was sideways in the intersection. The firefighters pointed to a black Kia Rio heading east on State Street and told the officer that he was responsible for the accident.
The officer caught up with the car at the intersection of State and Dove Streets and attempted to pull it over. The car disregarded the stop sign, and took a right onto Dove Street, where he continued heading southbound. The car sideswiped three vehicle's in the area of Dove and Hamilton Streets, as the officer was attempting to stop him. The vehicle finally came to a stop at the intersection of Dove and Madison Avenue and the driver, Giri Gautam, of 17 Morris Street, was placed into custody.
Through the course of the investigation, officers learned that the suspect was traveling south on Lark Street when he rear ended the Camero so hard, that the Camero's rear bumper was on his windshield. The impact also caused the Camero to collide with two other vehicles. The suspect then backed up in order to get the Camero off his hood, before fleeing the scene down State Street.
The investigation also revealed that the suspect was highly intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .20%.
He was charged with Aggravated DWI, as well as several traffic infractions.
He was arraigned this morning in Albany City Criminal Court.
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Comments
Am I the only one who read this and was shocked that a Kia Rio had enough power to do that much damage? I've had rental Rios, and they barely had enough strength to get over speed bumps.
... said SiobhanGK on May 16, 2012 at 10:44 AM | link
Curse you Newton and your second law!
... said Tim on May 16, 2012 at 11:38 AM | link
My friend and I were walking back to my apartment after the anti-fracking concert. I live near the corner of dove & Madison. The car & the damage were crazy. Half of the front was crumpled & the glass was shattered and almost out of the front window. It looked as if a something was launched right through the front dash & window.
We didn't know what happened because we couldn't see another car for an accident. But Dove from Hamilton to Madison was shut down for a good 30 minutes last night. The police on the scene were really helpful and let us know when we could drive out of Garden Alley.
... said Hollie on May 16, 2012 at 1:02 PM | link
Am the only one who read this and was shocked that people can't spell Camaro?
Or for that matter, "vehicle's"?
... said new2Albany on May 16, 2012 at 3:02 PM | link
LOL at the Rio comment. I'm surprised it didn't explode
... said fredsped2016 on May 16, 2012 at 3:08 PM | link
It's amazing how fast a car can speed through that neighborhood. After years of working in Center Square, I still look both ways on one way streets.
Glad no one was hurt!
... said abby on May 16, 2012 at 4:44 PM | link
Am I the only one to wonder why people who apparently never publish a single bit of news seem to continuously proofread other's comments from the privacy of wherever and seem to always point out gramatical inaccuracies even though the story has been filed and the information relayed? Good job, AOA, despite your 'editor's' corrections.
... said Wonder on May 18, 2012 at 8:04 PM | link