City man nabbed in hit-n-run, DWI

James Hepburn (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Police arrested a city man on Wednesday after he allegedly left the scene of an accident on South Main Street and drove his heavily damaged vehicle until it broke down at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Portland Street.

James Hepburn, 36, of 40 Olde Farm Lane, was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Conduct After an Accident.  

Police got the call around 4:40 p.m. and went to the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Portland Street for a report of a motor vehicle collision. 

 It had been reported that a 2007 Chevrolet Impala had struck a vehicle on South Main Street and continued to drive to the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Portland Street. 

When officers arrived they found a male driver exiting the Chevrolet and running from the scene.  A citizen who had witnessed the hit and run and had followed the suspect vehicle to Portland Street chased after the male driver and was able to keep him from fleeing until officers took custody of him, according to a Rochester Police press release.

As a result of the investigation it was determined that Hepburn had struck an unoccupied parked Kia Sportage on South Main Street, continued driving on South Main Street into the Walgreen’s parking lot and onto Columbus Avenue until his vehicle would not drive any further.  

With the assistance of numerous witnesses that stayed and reported what they saw, Hepburn was arrested.

Hepburn’s vehicle sustained substantial damage and was towed from the scene. Columbus Avenue remained open during the investigation.

Hepburn was bailed on $3,500 PR bail and is scheduled to appear for arraignment next month at the 7th Circuit – Rochester District Court.