VICTOR, N.Y. — A lawmaker in New York who penned a column warning about the dangers of drinking and driving on Christmas Eve was charged on New Year’s Eve for driving while intoxicated.
New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, was arrested for driving while intoxicated on New Year's Eve, according to the Ontario County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office says deputies responded to the area of 7980 County Road 41 in the Town of Victor on a report of a property damage crash.
Upon arrival by authorities, Kolb was taken into custody for DWI.
Kolb was transported to the Ontario County Jail and charged with an unsafe turn and DWI with a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, over .08 percent.
No one was injured in the crash.
He will answer to his charges at later date.
Kolb released the following statement Wednesday:
"Last night, I was charged with driving under the influence near my home. This was a terrible lapse in judgment, one I have urged others not to make, and I take full responsibility for it.
I want to offer sincere apologies to my family, friends, colleagues, and the people of the 131st Assembly District. I fully recognize the severity of the situation and I am profoundly sorry.
There is no excuse and no justification for what occurred Tuesday evening. I made the wrong decision, and it is one I deeply regret."
The Daily Messenger, a local newspaper in New York, published a column by Kolb on Christmas Eve where the Republican lawmaker urged people to not drink and drive over the holidays.
This story was originally published by Anthony Reyes on WKBW.
