One resettled Bhutanese jailed in US

Things may have turned out differently if Ramesh Biswa had stopped his car after he hit a motorcyclist in the early morning on June 7.

Instead, Biswa kept driving, until he was pulled over 30 minutes later by State Police who noticed damage to his vehicle. They charged him with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. It was only later that he was connected to the crash that left Randy Grzeskowiak on the roadside at Clinton Street and Bailey Avenue, seriously injured and alone.

Biswa, 35, a legal U.S. resident who came to Buffalo about three years ago from a Bhutanese refugee camp, pleaded guilty in October to leaving the scene of an injury accident. He was sentenced on Thursday to one to three years in prison.

The case was difficult for all involved, including Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk.

Biswa’s attorney, Terrence Brennan, told the judge that Biswa is sole support for his family, because his wife still struggles with English and cannot work. Brennan asked that the judge consider weekends in jail and community service as punishment so Biswa wouldn’t lose his job.

Biswa also apologized profusely to the man he hit, whom he referred to as “Mr. Randy.”

“I am not a criminal-minded person,” Biswa said. “I am here (in the U.S.) in search of happiness, but I did wrong and take full responsibility for whatever sinful and sorrowful activities I have done.”

Turning to Grzeskowiak, Biswa held his hands together and said, “We say namaste. I ask for your forgiveness. I am very sorry.”