Ex Corasanti juror accused of .25% BAC

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Judge Shelia DiTullio Juror 4 on Thursday after a delayed start to the fifth day of the trial of Dr. James Corasanti. After contacting several sources and connecting the dots, News 4 confirmed the juror was arrested on a DWI charge.

Juror 4 turned out to be Michael Barron from Kenmore. Barron told police he only had three beers, but police say his blood alcohol content was triple the legal limit.

Barron's arrest came after he had sat through four days worth of arguments in the case against James Corasanti, the doctor accused of drinking, driving and killing a teenage girl and then fleeing the scene. In a strange twist of irony, the 40-year-old was also arrested for drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Tonawanda Police Capt. Jon Scott said, "You would think someone sitting on that type of jury, hearing those graphic details from the accident, that you wouldn't drink and drive, and unfortunately this man did."

It was just after midnight on Thursday morning when Capt. Scott says Barrons was so drunk, he hit a massive utility pole, knocked it over, and drove off.

"Luckily he didn't hit anything but a pole, but it makes you wonder," said Capt. Scott.

But a passerby saw the whole thing, called police and followed Barron for blocks. Barron was ultimately pulled over on Canterbury in the Town of Tonawanda. When police got him out of the vehicle, they say he smelled like alcohol.

News 4 searched through a report in which police note Barron also had red, glassy eyes. Barron told police he only had three Labatt Blues, but police say he failed all three field sobriety tests they gave him. Barron ultimately blew a .25 on a breathalizer, three times over the legal limit.

Capt. Scott said, "He couldn't drive it right because he hit a pole. So obviously the alcohol was affecting him and he shouldn't have been driving at all."

Barron's SUV was impounded at R&M Towing. It was picked up hours after Barron was arrested. After following the paper trail, News 4 went to speak with him, but no one answered the door.

Police say Barron will answer the charges early next month. He faces four charges, the most serious being aggravated DWI.