Kim Martineau
February 1, 2001, Thursday, One Star Edition
Copyright 2001 The Hearst Corporation
The Times Union (Albany, NY)
February 1, 2001, Thursday, One Star Edition
(ALBANY, NY) -- A Niskayuna man who punched a Colonie police officer and led police on a high-speed chase pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony assault and a misdemeanor DWI charge.
Colonie police stopped Michael Stamper, 21, of Hillside Avenue for running a red light on Central Avenue early on Nov. 22.
Officer Jay Gerace Jr. gave Stamper a sobriety test, and as he tried to place Stamper under arrest for DWI, Stamper punched Gerace in the face and jumped back into his car, said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Gill.
Gerace thrust his arm through the driver’s window to turn the ignition off, but Stamper sped away, running over Gerace’s foot and ankle and dragging him for several yards.
Stamper led police from several municipalities on a chase that ended after his car crashed into a curb in Niskayuna. Gerace had to be hospitalized for his injuries, but is now back at work, Gill said.
Stamper faces up to two years in prison when he is in Albany County Court on March 29. Stamper is free on bail.