Driver for medical transport company charged with DWI

Peter Gwinner, 64, of Lockport, was charged with driving while intoxicated – 1st offense and aggravated driving while intoxicated, as well as leaving the scene of a property damage incident and moving from a lane unsafely.

While driving an Aries Transportation Services van, Gwinner is accused of striking a guard rail on the South Grand Island Bridge and leaving the scene Friday.

A complainant witnessed the incident a little after 7 a.m., and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office located the van a short time later in an entrance to the Grand Island Plaza on Grand Island Boulevard, according to a report.

There was damage along the driver’s side, including a flat front tire, and Gwinner, who identified himself as the driver, gave off a faint odor of an alcoholic beverage as he spoke, the Sheriff’s Office said. There were no passengers in the van at the time of the incident.

Gwinner submitted to a preliminary breath test, which was the Sheriff’s Office said was positive for the presence of alcohol. He was then transported to the Grand Island substation, where he registered a BAC of 0.25, the Sheriff’s Office said. Gwinner was released after being charged.