NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. — After a freedom of information request submitted by 2 On Your Side, the North Tonawanda Police Department released body camera video of the city attorney being arrested on November, 25.
City Attorney Edward Zebulske was arrested and charged with a DWI (1st offense) as well as unsafe backing of a vehicle. The city attorney position is elected in the city of North Tonawanda.
Zebulske initially cooperated with a field sobriety test, but ultimately ended it and refused a breathalyzer and a chemical test so officers could determine his blood alcohol content.
According to the footage, Zebulske says he didn't know he backed into another vehicle until a witness stopped him at an intersection.
That witness was an off-duty deputy with the Erie County Holding Center. The off-duty deputy remained on scene until North Tonawanda Police arrived just before 9 p.m.
The incident occurred in front of Dwyer's Irish Pub on Webster Street.
After being asked to provide his license and registration, Zebulske informed the officers "I'm the city attorney, I don't know if you - you don't know me, I don't know a lot of you new guys."
At one point during the exchange, Zebulske makes a phone call to someone saying " I banged into somebody at Dwyer's, I don't know if there's anything you can do."
2 On Your Side reached out to Zebulske for comment on the situation, and to ask who he called during the exchange, but did not get a response.
North Tonawanda Police Chief Keith Glass confirmed that Zebulske did not call him during the arrest on November, 25.
Zebulske's case has been referred to the Orleans County District Attorney's office, as the Niagara County District Attorney recused himself from prosecuting.