Cops: Kennedy Was Under Influence
Capitol Police report says congressman's eyes watery, speech slurred
MAY 5--Here's the official Capitol Hill Police report on yesterday's early-morning crash involving a disoriented Representative Patrick Kennedy. According to cops, the Rhode Island Democrat (and son of Senator Ted Kennedy) appeared unsteady on his feet, had "red and watery" eyes, and had "slightly slurred" speech upon exiting his Ford Mustang after crashing the vehicle into a barricade near Capitol Hill. The reporting officer checked off a box indicating that Kennedy was under the influence of alcohol and that the politician's ability was "impaired." Kennedy, 38, has denied that alcohol was involved in the 2:45 AM accident, claiming instead that he was left disoriented by a reaction to the prescription drugs Ambien, a sleep aid, and Phenergan, an antihistamine. Both drugs carry warnings that alcohol, taken in conjunction with the medications, may increase drowsiness and dizziness. Following the accident, Kennedy was driven home by police, who did not administer any field sobriety tests to the six-term congressman. On April 15, Kennedy was involved in an auto accident in Portsmouth, R.I. as he turned into the parking lot of a CVS pharmacy. According to a written statement provided to police by motorist Thomas Guthlein, he struck the passenger side of Kennedy's Ford when the pol pulled in front of him and turned right toward the lot. Kennedy also gave cops a written statement, though it appears the Democrat either has a penmanship problem or may have been writing while impaired (WWI) after the Saturday morning incident. (6 pages)
