68-year-old Drunk N.J. woman smacks into back of police car
EAST GREENBUSH – 68-year-old Valerie Kennedy of New Jersey was charged with drunk driving after she allegedly ran her vehicle into the back of a stopped police.
The incident took place Sunday evening when Kennedy was traveling south on Route 4. She was driving an older model pickup truck when she rear-ended the cruiser. According to police report, the cruiser had stopped to yield to traffic at the Couse traffic circle.
The accident caused damage to both vehicles. The front bumper and fender of Kennedy’s truck were pushed into its front tires as a result of the collision.
Officer Peter Lavin, who was riding the cruiser got out to investigate the crash. He found an intoxicated Kennedy at the steering wheel who told the officer that she was headed to her New Jersey home. According to police reports, she was returning from her seasonal residence in Lake George. At the time of investigation, Kennedy also showed signs of confusion saying that she thought she was in the Garden State and could not explain why she was travelling through East Greenbush.
Kennedy was taken to the police station where several field sobriety tests and a breath test were taken. Kennedy failed all the field sobriety tests and her blood alcohol level came out to be three times the legal limit.
The 68-year-old was charged with driving while under the influence and aggravated DWI as her blood alcohol level was three times the allowed limit. She was also charged with driving with an open container of alcohol.
Kennedy was later released from custody but is required to appear in court November 1.
