Woman charged with DWI over pain medication
Most Greenville residents know that North Carolina law prohibits drunk driving. But not all people may be aware that North Carolina DWI laws also prohibit impaired driving related to prescription medications. Recently, a Trinity woman was charged with DWI on allegations that her pain medication impaired her ability to drive.
North Carolina law enforcement officers claim the woman was first seen speeding on I-85. Troopers say they clocked the woman traveling 104 miles per hour on the Interstate around 12:15 last Tuesday. One of the troopers claims the woman nearly struck the trooper and several other cars. State Highway Patrol troopers also claim the woman eventually ran off the road and nearly struck a pole.
After all the allegations of nearly striking other objects, North Carolina troopers say the woman lost control of her Nissan 350Z, which spun out on the Interstate. State troopers say her vehicle wound up stopped in the southbound lane of I-85 facing toward the north. The Nissan reportedly showed no signs of damage and no accident occurred involving other vehicles, according to news reports. The Nissan was reportedly towed from the scene.
Troopers say the woman appeared confused after the alleged incident. Authorities claim the woman told officers that she was wearing a Fentanyl patch. Fentanyl is a prescription medication commonly used to treat chronic pain.
The 61-year-old woman was taken to Rowan Medical Center, where she apparently provided a blood sample. Law enforcement issued a citation later Tuesday, charging the woman with DWI and reckless driving.
Source: Salisbury Post, “Report: Woman went more than 100 mph while impaired,” Nathan Hardin, Nov. 2, 2011
Tags: charged, medication, Over, pain, Woman