Witnesses help Kingston Police nab driver impaired by drugs
On October 21, 2019 at approximately 8:10 p.m. witnesses called 911 to report a vehicle allegedly driving all over the roadway and nearly causing a head-on collision in the area of Bath and Collins Bay roads. As the vehicle traveled eastbound on Bath Road, the vehicle struck a bicycle lane marker.
Several Kingston Police officers responded and intercepted the vehicle as it approached Queen Mary Road. When the driver noticed one of the responding Kingston Police officers behind her with his cruiser’s activated lights and siren, the driver pulled over and ran up on the sidewalk before coming to an abrupt stop.
The police officer spoke with the suspect, observing that she appeared to be impaired by drugs.
The suspect was arrested for suspicion of being impaired driving by drug and was brought to a Drug Recognition Expert Officer. At the conclusion of the tests it was determined the accused was, in fact, impaired by drugs.
The driver, a 39-year-old Bath woman, has been charged with operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drug. She was later released on a Promise to Appear (PTA) with a future court date. Her driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days and she will face a one year suspension if convicted.
The vehicle was seized and impounded for seven days, with the accused being responsible for all fees and fines.
Curious to know what the drug was.
Definitely not marijuana. You don’t get that kind of reaction with marijuana.
However, I’m curious to know if it was a prescription medication. Sometimes, prescriptions can have really unusual side effects, especially under certain circumstances.
Not saying it is or isn’t, but it’s always good to check. Same with medical problems that appear to be drugs, when they are not. Mind you, a drug recognition expert is trained to notice the latter.
Ultimately, regardless of the situation, you need to plan ahead if you plan to use. And if it’s prescription, make sure you follow the directions exactly, and don’t take a new medication without knowing its effects before driving. I may feel leniency towards those who haven’t driven in over 24 hours but are still under the effects, but you still must plan ahead.