Juror dismissed after DWI charge

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - There has been an ironic development in the Dr. James Corasanti case unrelated to the defendant.

News 4 learned Thursday morning after a two-hour delay in Judge Shelia DiTullio's courtroom that Juror 4 had been dismissed from the trial and replaced with Alternate 1, though no explanation was given.

Now, News 4 has learned that Juror 4 was Michael Barron. Town of Tonawanda Police confirm the 40-year-old hit a pole on Elmwood shortly after midnight Thursday morning. Police say Barron fled the scene, and when they caught up to him, they found he was drunk.

Barron has been charged with DWI and will not be returning to the trial, where Dr. Corasanti faces DWI and manslaughter charges for leaving the scene of a fatal hit and run accident that killed 18-year-old Alexandria Rice.