Auburn man chased by helicopter and tasered after accident

In a news release Tuesday, New York State Police said Mitchell C. Podolak, 35, of Auburn, fled the scene of the crash at the intersection of Route 5 and Hamilton Road. His 2022 GMC Sierra was traveling south on Hamilton Road when he failed to stop at a red light and struck a 2009 Honda Civic driven by Tanner J. Miller, 17, of Wolcott, traveling west.

Witnesses reported Podolak running from the scene into the woods outside Hamilton, state police said. He was spotted by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Air 1 helicopter hiding near Tessy Plastics.

Podolak refused to comply when officers reached him, according to state police, and they tasered him. He was then taken into custody and charged with first-degree misdemeanor driving under the influence and resisting arrest, as well as several misdemeanors. He was transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center for arraignment.

Three passengers in the Honda Civic were taken to Upstate University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The state police were also supported on site by the Jordan Fire Department and Rescue Service as well as the SAVES ambulance.