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Corasanti’s wife takes the witness stand

WBFO News photo by Chris Caya

The wife of Dr. James Corasanti was called to testify Thursday morning at his civil trial.  Laureen Corasanti testified about the night her husband returned home after he struck and killed teenager Alexandria Rice. Rice was riding on her longboard along Heim Road in Amherst on July 8, 2011 when she was hit.

Corasanti’s wife was questioned about details of that evening. The Corasanti’s had been attending an event at the Transit Valley Country Club. But Mrs. Corasanti left and drove home separately from her husband.  She was asked about how he appeared when he arrived home after the hit and run.

Mrs. Corasanti told the court room that he looked upset when he came home and she asked him “what’s the matter?”.  That’s when he told his wife about damage to his vehicle.  She also described that they both went to the garage to look at the damage. 

WBFO’S Chris Caya is in the courtroom for the testimony.  Caya reports Mrs. Corasanti spent nearly two hours on the stand - often responding that "she didn't recall" when asked about details from that night. 

Corasanti said she did not think her husband had too much to drink - before she drove home separately from a local country club.  When Dr. Corasanti arrived home in his damaged car Mrs. Corsanti told the courtroom she didn't think about what might have happened because quote "it was just too crazy."

Mrs. Corsanti said as she drove towards the scene to find out what happened she saw an ambulance and knew "it was bad." But instead of calling Dr. Corasanti, or telling the police at the scene that her husband was involved, she says she called a friend who happened to be an attorney. 

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