Dean Tuszynski
/ file photo
SYRACUSE -- 12:45 Update:
Testimony has begun in the case of serial drunk driver 51-year-old Dean Tuszynski. In opening statements the prosecution claimed the defendant was drunk behind the wheel when his car hit someone at the intersection of Interstate 690 and John Glenn Boulevard last September. The defense says Tuszynski was driving on a suspended license, but was sober.
Albert Falchi was called to the stand, and told jurors that his car was hit by Tuszynski, and the defendant didn't stop. The witness claimed he had to chase him down John Glenn Boulevard to get him to pull over. Even after the defendant stopped, the witness said Tuszynski refused to exchange insurance information and drove off. That's when Falchi claims he called police.
Lawyers for both sides are also questioning what happened after the defendant was pulled over in Liverpool, following the alleged crash. Liverpool Police claim that Tuszynski failed a field sobriety test. The defense is claiming that the directions given to their client were confusing, leading to the failed test.
Testimony will continue this afternoon.
Original Story:
A man who has 8 previous drunk driving convictions is on trial again for DWI in Onondaga County Court.
Opening statements are underway in the trial of 51-year-old Dean Tuszynski of Salina, who is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident in his latest drunk driving case.
Last September, prosecutors say Tuszynski got behind the wheel drunk, then rear-ended a car on Interstate 690 in Van Buren, got into an argument with the other driver and took off. He was later tracked down by Liverpool police.
This isn't the first time Tuszynski has been accused of driving drunk. In fact, he has 8 previous felony DWI convictions. He spent time in prison for several 2006 crashes in Geddes and Salina.
Prosecutors have pushed for him to be treated as a persistent felon, which could have landed Tuszynski 15 years to life in prison. However, a federal appeals court ruled that unconstitutional.
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