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On the Beat: Trooper pulls driver out of the window of an overturned car

By Philip Anselmo

A state trooper pulled a driver out of his overturned vehicle following a crash on Groth Road in the town of Murray, state police said. Zoltan M. Koleszar, 43, of Medina, was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation once he had been freed from the vehicle. Koleszar was charged with driving while intoxicated. He had refused to submit to a breath test at the scene.

State police in Albion had responded to reports of an erratic driver traveling on Route 104. When they arrived on scene, they found that Koleszar had flipped after striking a guardrail. His vehicle was found overturned and partially submerged in a swampy area off the roadway. Trooper Matt Luft was the first on scene and spotted Koleszar still in the vehicle. With the help of fire personnel, Luft pulled the victim out the rear window of the vehicle.

Photo submitted by state police.


Sixteen-year-old Shaquille L. Davis, of Lockport, was charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault and one felony count of first-degree attempted robbery Saturday, city police said. Davis is accused of demanding the coat and money of an individual who was out for a walk during the early morning hours Saturday in the area of Center and Court streets. The victim refused to give up his belongings and attempted to walk away when Davis allegedly punched the victim in the face several times, knocking him to ground and causing serious physical injury, including a broken jaw.

Davis then fled the scene, accordng to victim reports. Police canvassed the area and later located someone matching the description of the attacker amidst a group of others walking along Ellicott Street. Davis was sent to Genesee County Jail without bail. He is due to appear in court Tuesday.


Sara A. Weaver, 39, of Oakfield, was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation Sunday, city police said. Weaver was stopped for an alleged traffic violation on West Main Street in Batavia. She was sent to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $200 bail.


Thomas G. Rowland, 37, of LeRoy, was charged with driving while intoxicated Sunday afternoon, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Rowland was stopped on Hopkins Road in the town of Batavia for an alleged traffic violation. He was also ticketed with driving to the left of the pavement markings.


Margaret A. Oliveri, 48, of Bergen, was charged with driving while intoxicated early Sunday morning, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Oliveri was stopped for an alleged traffic violation on Townline Road in Byron. She was also ticketed with driving to the left of the pavement markings.


Stephanie DeGeest, 22, of West Seneca, was charged with second-degree harassment and resisting arrest Sunday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. DeGeest is accused of kicking a sheriff's deputy in the groin while she was being detained during a domestic dispute in Pembroke. Deputies also allege that DeGeest continued to fight and resist while she was being placed under arrest. She was sent to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.

niel hamburger

Did anyone read this on the beat: Stephanie DeGeest, 22, of West Seneca? I wonder if she should be charged with assault on a police officer? What do you think?

Feb 16, 2009, 4:32pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I have been searching youtube for the video. I wouldnt have blamed him if he pepper sprayed her. If it was a "he" then more "force" would have been used. A kick in the nads is worth at least a misdimeanor assault charge minimum. $500 bail would lead me to believe the kick was "Wide Right".

Feb 16, 2009, 4:49pm Permalink
niel hamburger

I hope necessary force was used that "animal" needs to be of the streets. my "boys" should be able to walk down the street in peace. throw her away!

Feb 16, 2009, 8:50pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Thanks for the update. I was only responding to the post. I dont know what 100% disabled means but I am very sorry that the sheriff didnt realize this and decided to smash your head and break your foot. It just proves my point that pepper spray might have been more civil. I hope you plan to sue him.

Feb 19, 2009, 2:40pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

I know a little bit about the criminal justice system and it doesn't move so swiftly that you could have been arrested on Sunday and already found not guilty.

Feb 19, 2009, 2:46pm Permalink

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