By Matt Youngfrau
PARKSVILLE — September 30, 2003 – Town of Lumberland Supervisor and Sullivan County Legislator District 2 candidate John LiGreci was involved in a motor vehicle accident Tuesday, September 23.
The incident happened on State Route 17 near Parksville as LiGreci was on his way to the Rockland House in Roscoe for a fundraiser for Republican Party Chair and District 3 Legislator Greg Goldstein.
According to a New York State Police report, LiGreci, 52, of Glen Spey, was charged with DWI and numerous vehicle and traffic offenses during the investigation of the car accident. LiGreci was accused of traveling in his 2001 BMW eastbound in the westbound lane of Route 17 for approximately one-half mile before striking a 2001 Toyota operated by Robert Bonaparte, 18, of Flushing.
There were no injuries, and LiGreci was ordered to appear in Town of Liberty Court on Thursday at 2 p.m. to answer the charges.
LiGreci spoke to the Sullivan County Democrat in response to the charges.
“I was involved in an accident, but it was not head-on [as reported by other media]. I had some damage on the left wheel well, and no one was hurt,” LiGreci stated. “I had two glasses of wine, and anyone who knows me will tell you I’m not a drinker.”
LiGreci stated he only got two traffic violations and not “numerous offenses” as was in the police press release. Also, he denies he was driving the wrong way.
“When my car got hit, it spun around,” LiGreci explained.
LiGreci said he is determined not to let this incident get in the way of his campaign run.
“I have gotten well over 200 calls of support from people asking me to please continue my run,” he said. “I feel I owe the people of Sullivan County to continue this race.”
LiGreci’s attorney, Phil Conaty, would not let him comment any further.