Pittsford/Rochester, N.Y.— For 21-year-old Zachary Riviello and his friend, it was supposed to be a short drive home from Park Avenue in Rochester to their homes in Pittsford.
Riviello was on 490 eastbound shortly after midnight Tuesday when he noticed something strange. He started hearing car horns honking.
“Then the car in front of me pulled over to the side of the road,” says Riviello. “I thought it was weird to be doing that at 12 a.m. He pulled over and all I saw was what was coming towards him. I saw headlights and so I swerved the car to the left and then to the right.”
Riviello says by the time his car stopped spinning, his car was only inches away from the concrete barrier. Riviello and his passenger were safe but shaken up.
“My heart was racing a little at the end, but at that point, we were safe and we were okay,” says Riviello.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Cory Potter of Allegany County was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of 490. He allegedly drove about five miles in the wrong direction before he stopped near the Monroe Avenue exit at 490.The sheriff’s office says he allegedly tried to grab a deputy during his arrest.
Potter is charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving and Resisting Arrest. He was driving with a valid license.
This isn’t Potter’s first DWI arrest. Back in April 2009, Potter was arrested for DWI in Allegany County.
Riviello considers himself very lucky and he thinks it’s incredible no one got hurt.
“I am really surprised,” he says. “Looking back at it, there could have been some injuries. I'm really thankful. Someone was clearly looking out for us that day.”
