Paul Kostraba mugshot. (Photo/ LCSO)
AVON — An apparently drunken driver was apprehended Monday afternoon by a group of citizens, after driving erratically and sideswiping a tractor trailer on I-390 in the town of Avon.
A Livingston County Sheriff’s office press release reported the arrest of Paul A. Kostraba, 48, of Avon, for several misdemeanor charges including DWI, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree, and numerous traffic offenses.
The Sheriff’s Department responded to two 911 calls, both coming at about 2:30 pm, reporting a blue van that had sideswiped a tractor trailer and was “swerving in the lanes.” The vehicle reportedly had sustained body damage and broken window glass, but kept driving.
The vehicle took the off-ramp at exit 10, and a number of motorists were able to block the vehicle, front and back, until police arrived. The confrontation escalated, and Kostraba allegedly attempted to get around them and struck two of the other vehicles.
Kostraba was arrested by Deputy Paul Ricotta, and discovered to be travelling with his wife and dog in the vehicle at the time. He was later arraigned in the Town of Avon Court, and remanded to Livingston County Jail on $1500 cash bail. He will be returning to court at a later date.
According to the Sheriff’s Office press release,
While the Sheriff’s Office does not recommend putting yourself in danger on the roadways we would like to commend the citizens that assisted. One was resident of Greece, one of Lima, and the other was an Avon resident. Thank you for your good service and for preventing the suspect from fleeing the
scene and possibly causing another crash.
Deputy Paul Ricotta, Deputy Mike Williams, Deputy Chris Brosius, Avon Police Sgt. Joe Geer, NYS Trooper Larry LaRose, and Sgt. Michael Dougherty assisted with the investigation.