How amusing - The Orange Mane

watermock · 05-05-2006, 02:15 PM

Rep. Patrick Kennedy blames car crash on medication
Updated 5/5/2006 3:17 PM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy
AP file

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Patrick Kennedy will enter rehab for addiction to prescription pain medication Friday evening after a highly publicized car crash near the Capitol.
Kennedy, D-R.I., plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The congressman was announcing his decision during a new conference Friday afternoon, then planned to travel to Minnesota later in the day.

Kennedy, who has struggled with addiction and depression, said he had checked into the Mayo Clinic over the Christmas holidays and returned to Congress "reinvigorated and healthy."

"Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs, but I have been strong, focused and productive since my return," Kennedy said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

The congressman said he became concerned about his condition after the Thursday morning car accident.

"I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy said. "That's not how I want to live my life. And that's not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island."

ON DEADLINE: Learn more about the drugs

The congressman's father, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., issued a supportive statement in which he said he's proud of his son for admitting his problem and taking steps to correct it.

"He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred ... and he will continue to cooperate fully with any investigation," the elder Kennedy said.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy was cited for three traffic violations after his early morning car crash near the Capitol, according to a police report.

The report by a U.S. Capitol Police officer said Kennedy, D-R.I., drove his green 1997 Ford Mustang convertible into a security barrier near the Capitol shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday, and that Kennedy had red, watery eyes, slurred speech and unsteady balance.

A statement from the congressman said he had taken a sleeping pill and another drug that can cause drowsiness, but had not been drinking alcohol before the accident.

Kennedy, 38, told the police officer he was "headed to the Capitol to make a vote," the report said. He was charged with failure to keep in proper lane, traveling at "unreasonable speed" and failing to "give full time and attention" to operating his vehicle.

Police filed a report, but Kennedy spokeswoman Robin Costello said she had "no knowledge of any citations."

Kennedy aides received the accident report Friday morning at his congressional office, said Costello, who is Kennedy's spokeswoman in Rhode Island.

Capitol Police had no comment Friday beyond a statement posted on their website, said spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. That statement said, "The United States Capitol Police are continuing to investigate."

Kennedy was first elected to Congress in 1994.

He planned to return to Rhode Island on Friday in hopes of defusing the controversy surrounding the Thursday morning crash, including allegations he got special treatment from police who did not administer field sobriety tests. Kennedy has denied asking for any favorable police treatment.

In a statement released Thursday night, Kennedy said he crashed his green Ford Mustang into a security barrier at 1st and C streets, near his Capitol Hill office, a few blocks away from the Capitol.

He said that he'd gone home Wednesday evening after work and taken "the prescribed amount" of Phenergan, a prescription anti-nausea drug that can cause drowsiness, and Ambien, a sleep medication. But he said he consumed no alcohol before the crash.

The attending physician for Congress had prescribed Phenergan to treat Kennedy's gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. According to the drug's label, Phenergan can increase the effects of sleep medicines such as Ambien.

Ambien comes with a warning to patients that it can cause confusion, strange behavior and hallucinations. Also, it is to be taken only when patients have time for a full eight hours of sleep, allowing its effects to wear off, according to its Food and Drug Administration-approved label.

Louis P. Cannon, president of the Washington chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, who was not on the scene, said the congressman had appeared intoxicated when he crashed his car.

Cannon said the officers involved in the accident were instructed by an official "above the rank of patrolman" to take Kennedy home and no sobriety tests were conducted at the scene.

In his statement, Kennedy said he was apparently disoriented from the drugs when he got up a little before 3 a.m. Thursday and drove to the Capitol thinking he needed to be present for a vote.

"At no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol," he said.

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 reportedly told the police he was late for a vote, but the final vote of the night had taken place some six hours earlier.

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.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted 5/4/2006 6:33 PM ET

Billy Clyde Puckett · 05-05-2006, 02:21 PM

LABF will be here soon claiming he was drugged as part of a Bush conspiracy

defenseman · 05-05-2006, 02:21 PM

Back to Rehab with me. BUT, no way I'm quitting. Give me a break, you are an admitted drug addict for the 2nd time around. Do the right thing and stand down...dman

DarkHorse30 · 05-05-2006, 02:30 PM

now watch the democrats say Kennedy was depressed about the war in Iraq.

Hogan11 · 05-05-2006, 02:32 PM

Yawn....no one really cares about the Kennedys anymore.

55CrushEm · 05-05-2006, 03:06 PM

What's the new bumper sticker?

"I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney, than go driving with a Kennedy."

Smiling Assassin27 · 05-05-2006, 03:09 PM

drug addicts aren't allowed to represent their constituents? if the voters want him there, then he should be there, no?

bombay · 05-05-2006, 03:10 PM

Drunken fools are always 'amusing'.

Smiling Assassin27 · 05-05-2006, 03:13 PM

and Quimbys, er, Kennedys take pride in their foolishness. They strive to be the best.

Phantom · 05-05-2006, 03:50 PM

Wow!!

At least he wasn't drinking any alcohol .... he has that going for him.

sirhcyennek81 · 05-05-2006, 03:51 PM

Seems if you are named Kennedy, its a genetic requirement to live/die in odd ways. Who else plays ski football after hitting a bottle of Cuervo?

Bronco_Beerslug · 05-05-2006, 04:12 PM

Politicians are an odd bunch aren't they? I seen a rumor now that the head of the CIA is involved in a investigation involving gambling and prostitution.

SteveTensi13 · 05-05-2006, 04:17 PM

Remind me not to get into any car with a Kennedy in it. I'll either get shot, dumped in the river or crash into any assortment of stationary objects!!

05-05-2006, 02:15 PM	#1
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	How amusing Rep. Patrick Kennedy blames car crash on medication Updated 5/5/2006 3:17 PM ET E-mail \| Save \| Print \| Subscribe to stories like this U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy AP file WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Patrick Kennedy will enter rehab for addiction to prescription pain medication Friday evening after a highly publicized car crash near the Capitol. Kennedy, D-R.I., plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The congressman was announcing his decision during a new conference Friday afternoon, then planned to travel to Minnesota later in the day. Kennedy, who has struggled with addiction and depression, said he had checked into the Mayo Clinic over the Christmas holidays and returned to Congress "reinvigorated and healthy." "Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs, but I have been strong, focused and productive since my return," Kennedy said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. The congressman said he became concerned about his condition after the Thursday morning car accident. "I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy said. "That's not how I want to live my life. And that's not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island." ON DEADLINE: Learn more about the drugs The congressman's father, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., issued a supportive statement in which he said he's proud of his son for admitting his problem and taking steps to correct it. "He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred ... and he will continue to cooperate fully with any investigation," the elder Kennedy said. Rep. Patrick Kennedy was cited for three traffic violations after his early morning car crash near the Capitol, according to a police report. The report by a U.S. Capitol Police officer said Kennedy, D-R.I., drove his green 1997 Ford Mustang convertible into a security barrier near the Capitol shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday, and that Kennedy had red, watery eyes, slurred speech and unsteady balance. A statement from the congressman said he had taken a sleeping pill and another drug that can cause drowsiness, but had not been drinking alcohol before the accident. Kennedy, 38, told the police officer he was "headed to the Capitol to make a vote," the report said. He was charged with failure to keep in proper lane, traveling at "unreasonable speed" and failing to "give full time and attention" to operating his vehicle. Police filed a report, but Kennedy spokeswoman Robin Costello said she had "no knowledge of any citations." Kennedy aides received the accident report Friday morning at his congressional office, said Costello, who is Kennedy's spokeswoman in Rhode Island. Capitol Police had no comment Friday beyond a statement posted on their website, said spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. That statement said, "The United States Capitol Police are continuing to investigate." Kennedy was first elected to Congress in 1994. He planned to return to Rhode Island on Friday in hopes of defusing the controversy surrounding the Thursday morning crash, including allegations he got special treatment from police who did not administer field sobriety tests. Kennedy has denied asking for any favorable police treatment. In a statement released Thursday night, Kennedy said he crashed his green Ford Mustang into a security barrier at 1st and C streets, near his Capitol Hill office, a few blocks away from the Capitol. He said that he'd gone home Wednesday evening after work and taken "the prescribed amount" of Phenergan, a prescription anti-nausea drug that can cause drowsiness, and Ambien, a sleep medication. But he said he consumed no alcohol before the crash. The attending physician for Congress had prescribed Phenergan to treat Kennedy's gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. According to the drug's label, Phenergan can increase the effects of sleep medicines such as Ambien. Ambien comes with a warning to patients that it can cause confusion, strange behavior and hallucinations. Also, it is to be taken only when patients have time for a full eight hours of sleep, allowing its effects to wear off, according to its Food and Drug Administration-approved label. Louis P. Cannon, president of the Washington chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, who was not on the scene, said the congressman had appeared intoxicated when he crashed his car. Cannon said the officers involved in the accident were instructed by an official "above the rank of patrolman" to take Kennedy home and no sobriety tests were conducted at the scene. In his statement, Kennedy said he was apparently disoriented from the drugs when he got up a little before 3 a.m. Thursday and drove to the Capitol thinking he needed to be present for a vote. "At no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol," he said. 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 reportedly told the police he was late for a vote, but the final vote of the night had taken place some six hours earlier. 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. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Posted 5/4/2006 6:33 PM ET Last edited by watermock; 05-05-2006 at 02:17 PM..

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05-05-2006, 02:21 PM	#2
Billy Clyde Puckett Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy Looking down on KC, SD and Oakland Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation Posts: 12,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: John Elway	LABF will be here soon claiming he was drugged as part of a Bush conspiracy

05-05-2006, 02:21 PM	#3
defenseman Ring of Famer 2007 record pred. (7-9) Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 9,232	Back to Rehab with me. BUT, no way I'm quitting. Give me a break, you are an admitted drug addict for the 2nd time around. Do the right thing and stand down...dman

05-05-2006, 02:30 PM	#4
DarkHorse30 Smith Rules Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,094 Adopt-a-Bronco: wolf pot roast	now watch the democrats say Kennedy was depressed about the war in Iraq.

05-05-2006, 02:32 PM	#5
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	Yawn....no one really cares about the Kennedys anymore.

05-05-2006, 03:06 PM	#6
55CrushEm Dynamic Duo Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 5,650 Adopt-a-Bronco: Quanterus Smith	What's the new bumper sticker? "I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney, than go driving with a Kennedy."

05-05-2006, 03:09 PM	#7
Smiling Assassin27 STOP! KIPER TIME! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 11,104 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	drug addicts aren't allowed to represent their constituents? if the voters want him there, then he should be there, no?

05-05-2006, 03:10 PM	#8
bombay Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: denver Posts: 4,409	Drunken fools are always 'amusing'.

05-05-2006, 03:13 PM	#9
Smiling Assassin27 STOP! KIPER TIME! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 11,104 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	and Quimbys, er, Kennedys take pride in their foolishness. They strive to be the best.

05-05-2006, 03:50 PM	#10
Phantom Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 1,179	Wow!! At least he wasn't drinking any alcohol .... he has that going for him.

05-05-2006, 03:51 PM	#11
sirhcyennek81 Yes...swooping is bad... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florence, Colorado Posts: 20,768 Adopt-a-Bronco: All of them.	Seems if you are named Kennedy, its a genetic requirement to live/die in odd ways. Who else plays ski football after hitting a bottle of Cuervo?

05-05-2006, 04:12 PM	#12
Bronco_Beerslug Angling in the Deep Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Riviera, Southern Mountains Posts: 24,281	Politicians are an odd bunch aren't they? I seen a rumor now that the head of the CIA is involved in a investigation involving gambling and prostitution.

05-05-2006, 04:17 PM	#13
SteveTensi13 GIVE ME SOME MORE ORANGE OLD SCHOOL BRONCO Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Helmand province, Afghanistan Posts: 1,830 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brandon Stokley	Remind me not to get into any car with a Kennedy in it. I'll either get shot, dumped in the river or crash into any assortment of stationary objects!!