A man accused of driving drunk and critically injuring a woman confessed to some of the crimes Wednesday in Lackawanna County court.
Cory Zaleski was charged with DUI, assault and other offenses for the crash in September, 2008 that left Jacki Nieratko of Pittston criticality injured.
She was also in court Wednesday, finally able to walk after months in the hospital.
Zaleski admitted driving drunk on Davis Street, hitting Nieratko and then leaving the scene without helping the injured woman.
Zaleski also pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence y trying to hide his car from police.
"I am very sorry about anything that has happened. This was an accident and I'm very remorseful and sincerely apologize to anyone that was involved. I didn't mean to hurt anybody. I'm very sorry," Zaleski said.
His guilty pleas mean he could spend up to eleven-and-a-half years in prison.
"It's a good thing because I want to put this whole thing behind me and that's what I'm trying to do. That's what I want, to focus on the future," Nieratko said.
Her recovery has been difficult.
"It's very hard, relearning how to walk was the hardest part but mentally, it was hard. I have my days where I'm good and I'm bad," Nieratko said.
On those bad days she's been so glad to have the support of her loved ones.
"I'm grateful for Tim too. He's done a lot for me too. Grateful, very grateful," Nieratko added. "I told him to leave many times, nope he didn't."
Zaleski is due back in court later this year for sentencing. The maximum he could get is 11-and-a-half years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
Cory Zaleski was charged with DUI, assault and other offenses for the crash in September, 2008 that left Jacki Nieratko of Pittston criticality injured.
She was also in court Wednesday, finally able to walk after months in the hospital.
Zaleski admitted driving drunk on Davis Street, hitting Nieratko and then leaving the scene without helping the injured woman.
Zaleski also pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence y trying to hide his car from police.
"I am very sorry about anything that has happened. This was an accident and I'm very remorseful and sincerely apologize to anyone that was involved. I didn't mean to hurt anybody. I'm very sorry," Zaleski said.
His guilty pleas mean he could spend up to eleven-and-a-half years in prison.
"It's a good thing because I want to put this whole thing behind me and that's what I'm trying to do. That's what I want, to focus on the future," Nieratko said.
Her recovery has been difficult.
"It's very hard, relearning how to walk was the hardest part but mentally, it was hard. I have my days where I'm good and I'm bad," Nieratko said.
On those bad days she's been so glad to have the support of her loved ones.
"I'm grateful for Tim too. He's done a lot for me too. Grateful, very grateful," Nieratko added. "I told him to leave many times, nope he didn't."
Zaleski is due back in court later this year for sentencing. The maximum he could get is 11-and-a-half years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
