Latest news with #DrugRecognitionExpert
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Somerset woman charged in DUI crash that injured Pennsylvania trooper
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Somerset woman is facing charges after she was allegedly driving under the influence when she caused a crash that left a state trooper with multiple injuries. Regina Bailey, 36, is now facing charges for a December 2024 crash that left one injured, according to a criminal complaint. On Dec. 21, 2024, officers were called to the area of 2200 Glades Pike in Jefferson Township for a report of a vehicle crash. Officers learned that a vehicle had broken down in that area and that a state trooper was helping to provide traffic control when an accident occurred. According to the complaint, the trooper had emergency lights on and pulled off at a safe location before helping the disabled motorist. PD: Moxham shooting sends one to the hospital, suspect still unknown Whilst helping, a white Ford truck and a red Chevy Malibu were seen driving westbound toward the disabled vehicle. The driver of the Chevy slowed down because of the crash, but the driver of the Ford failed to do so and ended up rear-ending the Chevy. According to the affidavit, the accident caused the driver of the Chevy to lose control and hit a person who was helping the disabled driver before hitting the trooper. Witnesses reported the trooper was 'flung' in the accident and had to be taken to the hospital for his injuries. The other person who was hit was uninjured. Bailey was determined to be the driver of the Ford truck, and the accident was captured on video by a dash camera, according to the complaint. The driver of the Chevy told officers that before the accident, Bailey had been 'riding' her car and had failed to slow down as she was slowing down. When interviewed by police, Bailey allegedly admitted that she had just gotten off work and had hit the Chevy 'really hard.' She also admitted that there were three juveniles in the car at the time of the accident. Police noted that during the conversation, Bailey showed signs of driving impaired. Her eyes were glassy and bloodshot and her pupils were dilated, according to the complaint. Bailey was taken to the state police barracks in Somerset and voluntarily submitted to a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation, where troopers said she was under the influence. She was then taken to UPMC Somerset for a blood draw, which she consented to. Her blood draw was positive for multiple forms of THC, according to the complaint. Police applied for a search warrant for the Ford truck, and when it was granted, they allegedly found a marijuana blunt in the driver's seat area, which was charred at one end. They also noted that there was a marijuana smoking bowl with charred residue and items from a marijuana dispensary with Bailey's name on it. The trooper who was hit sustained the following injuries: A 4 cm cut above his eye A bony nasal septum fracture A concussion Bruising to his left hip bone Chronic headaches Spine injuries A whiplash injury Vision impairment At the time the complaint was filed, the trooper had not returned to duty as a result of the crash. Bailey is in the Somerset County Prison with bail set at $20,000. She is facing charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, Aggravated assault by vehicle, endangering the welfare of children, driving under the influence, drug charges and other related offenses. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Oconto Police Sergeant celebrated for accomplishments in first year as Drug Recognition Expert
OCONTO, Wis. (WFRV) – The Oconto Police Department congratulated one of its sergeants on Friday for his accomplishments as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). Sergeant Brad Shearer led his region with 21 enforcement evaluations in his first year as a DRE, immediately making a difference in the community after being trained, thus, being awarded the 2024 DRE Outstanding Performance Award and a Top 10 DRE award. 'Doesn't usually 'snow' in July': Sheriff in Wisconsin posts footage of suspect tossing cocaine out window amid pursuit DREs are officers that are specially trained to detect specific symptoms and behaviors caused by the use of drugs. Sgt. Shearer quickly became the go-to officer in DRE work, doing evaluations for other agencies even when not on the clock. The release said his active traffic enforcement is 'well-known' in Oconto County. Sgt. Shearer and his K-9 partner worked together to detect drugs in vehicles, made possible by his studying of traffic trends, which he used to make quality traffic stops and observe possible indicators of impairment or trafficking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
Who was West York Officer Andrew Duarte, who was killed in the line of duty?
The West York borough police department confirmed that Officer Andrew Duarte was killed in the line of duty during an active shooter incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital Feb. 22, 2025. He had been a police officer for more than six years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Duarte spent five years with the Denver Police Department in Denver, Colorado before becoming an officer in West York, his profile states. He began working at West York in June of 2022. West York police: Officer killed in the line of duty at UPMC Memorial Hospital shooting He received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice/police science from PennWest California in western Pennsylvania. While out West, Duarte worked as a patrol and a DUI/DRE enforcement officer. He highlighted a couple of awards he received: the Top Student Award for outstanding academic achievement when he completed Drug Recognition Expert school and one from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2021 for impaired driving enforcement. "I am a driven person who likes a new challenge and to expand my horizons with new education and new opportunities. I am a self starter and operate with a significant amount of self management in my position. I have a type A personality and like to succeed in all that I do," he wrote in his profile. Remember the fallen: York FOP to erect memorial to 2 officers who died in the line of duty Condolences are pouring in from around York County in the loss of Officer Duarte. Pennsylvania Attorney General David W. Sunday, formerly the York County District Attorney, shared his condolences on Instagram. "The loss of West York Borough PD Officer Andrew Duarte in today's incident is truly heartbreaking. My thoughts are with his family, colleagues in the department and county, and all who knew and loved him," he wrote. Southern Regional Police extended its condolences to Duarte's family, friends, and colleagues in a statement on Facebook. "We stand in solidarity with the West York Borough Police Department during this incredibly difficult time and offer our full support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Duarte's family as they navigate through this unimaginable loss." The Dover Township Fire Department posted on Facebook: "On behalf of DTFD, our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Duarte's family, and everyone involved in today's tragic event at UPMC Memorial Hospital." (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Who was fallen West York PA Police Officer Andrew Duarte
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-UNCW student sues Highway Patrol over wrongful DWI charges after fatal I-40 crash
A former UNCW student, Raylee Grieco, is suing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol after being wrongfully charged with DWI following a fatal crash on I-40 in February 2024. According to reports from WWAY, Grieco was involved in a collision on February 18, 2024, when her vehicle struck a car stopped in the middle of I-40. The crash resulted in the death of Mildo Velasquez, who was reportedly under a trailer attempting to reconnect it to his pickup truck. Despite a breath test showing no alcohol, Grieco was charged with DWI and Underage DWI, charges that were later dismissed when blood tests revealed no impairing substances. ALSO READ: Family copes with loss of 44-year-old man killed in fatal wrong-way crash According to the lawsuit, Nurse Practitioner Sorto, who treated Grieco, determined she was not impaired and did not require a blood test for intoxicating substances. The lawsuit claims that Trooper Duff initially intended to charge Grieco only with failure to reduce speed but requested a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation based on a hospital staff member's comment that Grieco was 'acting strangely.' This observation was made after Grieco had been administered Norco, a narcotic pain medication. DRE Trooper Rich conducted field sobriety tests and claimed Grieco was under the influence of THC, despite the medication and her concussion. The lawsuit alleges that his evaluation was flawed and that he falsely stated a CT scan ruled out a concussion. Grieco's lawsuit seeks monetary relief, punitive damages, and a public apology from the NC Highway Patrol, highlighting alleged misconduct and wrongful charges in the investigation. VIDEO: Family copes with loss of 44-year-old man killed in fatal wrong-way crash
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Naugatuck man accused of DUI with infant in car
NAUGATUCK, Conn. (WTNH) — A Naugatuck man has been charged after allegedly driving under the influence with an 11-month-old child in the vehicle, according to Naugatuck police. Dakota Harding, 32, was charged with operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol, risk of injury to child, second-degree endangerment, and possession of a controlled substance. Naugatuck woman arrested after children found outside unsupervised The charges stem from Feb. 4, when police were dispatched for a missing persons complaint. While gathering information, they said concern was raised Harding was driving under the influence with the child, who also have may not eaten for a few hours. Police found the vehicle on South Main Street, where a traffic stop was conducted. During the stop, officers reported seeing signs of impairment and narcotics in the vehicle. A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) from Shelton police assisted with the impairment investigation. Harding was held on a $250,000 bond and arraigned at Waterbury Superior Court on Feb. 5. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
