New York Assemblyman Brian Kolb was adamantly against drunk driving. In 2009, he and his Assembly Republicans stood behind Leandra’s Law. Yet like so many politicians, his words did not match his actions.
He supported a law that might cause people to think twice before driving drunk, and as the television ads say, “Buzzed driving is drunk driving.” According to The Democrats And Chronical, Kolb tweeted:
‘Leandra’s Law will help keep intoxicated motorists off our roadways and, most importantly, send a crystal clear message to someone who might even think about trying to drive drunk with a child passenger.’
He has represented the 131st Assembly District in New York since 2000. In 2009, he became the Assembly minority leader and has remained so since. In 2017, he ran for governor of New York.
On Dec. 24, the politician had written a guest column in The Daily Messenger newspaper warning against drunk driving during the holiday season , keying in on December’s National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Although it has since been removed, he wrote:
‘Many of our holiday traditions, especially our New Year’s Eve celebrations, involve indulging in spirits. Done safely, and in moderation, these can be wonderful holiday experiences. However, tragedy can be only one bad decision away.’
The assemblyman continued, The NY Post wrote:
‘Do not operate a vehicle if your ability to do so is impaired. Drunk driving is not only dangerous to the driver, but to vehicle passengers, bystanders and other drivers.
‘There is no excuse for driving impaired this holiday season.’
On New Year’s Eve, a deputy responded to a report of an vehicular accident. Once there, she found Kolb sitting his 2018 GMC Arcadia in front of his home where he had crashed into the ditch. Fortunately, no one had been injured, and no other cars were involved. The deputy identified him as Assemblyman Brian Kolb.
According to Ontario County Sheriff Kevin Henderson, Kolb was cooperative with deputies:
‘Kolb was driving a vehicle registered to New York state. Kolb failed a field sobriety test and was then taken into custody, Henderson said. While at the Ontario County Jail, Kolb was given a Breathalyzer test, which revealed his blood-alcohol content was over 0.08%.’.
After the accident, at least one other Assembly member Kieran Lalor called for Kolb to step down from his position as an assembyman. He also said that his colleague should have done so already:
‘.@GOPLdrBrianKolb should step down as Assembly Minority Leader .That he hasn’t done so already is a disgrace.’
The assemblyman was processed at the Ontario County Jai, where he was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) and making an unsafe turn. He was scheduled to appear in Victor Town Court at an unscheduled date.
In a statement issued Wednesday morning, Kolb acknowledged his arrest and regrets:
‘… 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 district that Kolb serves covers all of Ontario County and a portion of Seneca County.
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube:
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