Kennedy Blames Accident on Sleep Medicine

AP ^ | 5/4/06 | ANDREW MIGA

[Jean S]

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (news, bio, voting record) crashed his car near the Capitol early Thursday, and a police official said he appeared intoxicated. Kennedy said he had taken sleep medication and a prescription anti-nausea drug that can cause drowsiness.

Kennedy, D-R.I., addressed the issue after a spate of news reports. His initial statement said: "I consumed no alcohol prior to the incident."'

Later, however, he issued a longer statement saying the attending physician for Congress had prescribed Phenergan on Tuesday to treat Kennedy's gastroenteritis.

Kennedy said he returned to his Capitol Hill home on Wednesday evening after a final series of votes in Congress and took "prescribed" amounts of Phenergan and Ambien, another prescribed drug that he occasionally takes to fall asleep.

"Some time around 2:45 a.m., I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote," his second statement said. "Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication."

Kennedy appeared to be intoxicated when he crashed his Ford Mustand into a barrier on Capitol Hill early Thursday morning, said Louis P. Cannon, president of the Washington chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Cannon, who was not there, said the officers involved in the accident were instructed by an official "above the rank of patrolman" to take Kennedy home.

No sobriety tests were conducted at the scene.

A letter written by a Capitol Police officer to Acting Chief Christopher McGaffin said Kennedy appeared to be staggering when he left the vehicle after the crash about 3 a.m. The letter was first reported by Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper.

Kennedy said he was late for a vote, officer Greg Baird said in the letter to McGaffin. Baird is acting chairman of the Capitol Hill chapter of the FOP police union. The last vote of the night had occurred almost six hours earlier.

Kennedy said he was driven home by Capitol police.

"At no time did I ask for any special consideration," he said. "I simply complied with what the officers asked me to do."

Kennedy, the son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., and his staff declined to discuss any further details of the accident. The congressman took part in House votes Thursday.

Capitol Police did not immediately return phone calls for comment. They issued a one-line statement saying they were investigating a traffic violation that occurred early in the morning at that location.

Baird wrote McGaffin that two sergeants who responded to the accident conferred with the watch commander and were ordered to leave the scene.

He said that after the officers left, Capitol Police officials gave Kennedy a ride home.

Kennedy spent time at a drug rehabilitation clinic before he went to Providence College. He has been open about mental health issues, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

___

Associated Press writer Laurie Kellman contributed to this report.

[Let's Roll]

Right, he reveals this like somehow it's more responsible to take a sleeping pill and drive than it is to drink and drive?

Both parents are alcoholics - what are the odds that he also has a drinking problem?

Incredible.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Cynthia might have a case for racism here. She gets charged, Rep. Pat Kennedy, a White male, gets a pass and cover up from the Capitol Hill police.

[The PeteMan]

Runs in the family........

[Sprite518]

Oh yeah you were not Drunk, just like Teddy.

[Nanny7]

Well, the MSM would have a field day (if it were Rush). Watch how they'll play this.

[cutetechielawyergirl]

Rush should still be prosecuted. He broke the law.

Kennedy should still be prosecuted. He broke the law.

They got off easy because of the almighty dollar. If it were anyone else, the individual would be behind bars. We shouldn't defend conservatives who break the law and then through the Dems to the dogs. In fact, I find it even more disgusting when Conservatives pull this nonsense. We hold ourselves to a higher standard because we have self-respect and a high regard for the law. Conservative talk show hosts who doctor shop are just as guilty as the crackhead in the ghetto or Kennedy behind the wheel.

[george76]

Dingy Harry putting Senator Sheets to sleep.

[Socratic]

Both parents are alcoholics - what are the odds that he also has a drinking problem?

Who wants to bet that his stomach problem is alcoholic gastritis? (I'm not a doctor, I just play one on the internet).

[justkillingtime]

exacly...we need that Watch Commanders name...shit should hit the fan for this, but I'm afraid it wont

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Papa Joe got the exclusive import Lic. from FDR (family still holds it) on all Scotch whiskey that comes into the US. The Kennedy's get paid a fee for every oz imported.

[LucyJo]

I know he had problems in the past, so it wouldn't be surprising if he still has problems considering his personal, and family, background. There has been more effort historically for them to cover-up rather than straighten-up.

Alcohol and/or drug addiction is a difficult and sad situation for anyone, but there should be accountablility - especially from a legislator and representative of the people. Too many of them do a sorry enough job without that kind of impairment!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

[lawdude]

"Rush should still be prosecuted. He broke the law. "

If you are as you claim, a lawyergirl, you would know that the evidence gathered by the WPB pros is inadmissible and as, such they have NO CASE! That darn Constitution.

Oh, I am a cutetechielawyerguy. 10 years criminal defense, 14 years Patent Attorney.

Your CV?

[OKIEDOC]

Isn't that 'Driving Under the Influence'?


Well an officer told me that taking medication and operating a vehicle was no excuse to keep from getting a ticket or even going to jail if you have a wreck.

I would say that Kennedy received lots of special consideration.

[Xenalyte]

Best keywords EVER ping!

[1066AD]

What's that stuff on the beach ? Anti-tank pilings ?

[Miss Behave]

LOL, Cobra. If they cut Teddy open all they'd find would be a whole mess of half-eaten hoagies soaked in gin.

[Miss Behave]

Damn you're good, Punk. AND quick.

[hinckley buzzard]

As I said on another thread, Sheesh, blaming it on medication.

This is standard practice among drunks who get in trouble.

[hole_n_one]

Keywords run amok!