Patrick Kennedy Crash Second in Three Weeks

NewsMax.com ^ | May 5, 2006 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Patrick Kennedy's Capitol Hill car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning was the second vehicular mishap suffered by the Rhode Island Democrat in three weeks.

Appearing on ABC Radio's Mark Levin Show last night, WRKO Boston radio host Howie Carr detailed the earlier accident, which went unnoted outside of the local press in Providence, Rhode Island.

"The accident wasn't reported in the newspapers until almost a week after it happened," Carr complained in his own Boston Herald column last week.

"The story ended up in the D section of the Providence Journal, under the East Bay Sports Bulletin Board and a big story headlined, 'Two arrested after Newport tagging spree,'" he said.

On April 15 Kennedy was on his way to the drug store, driving a Ford Crown Victoria on Turnpike Avenue in Portsmouth, R.I., when he made an abrupt left turn into the path of an oncoming Nissan.

"By Kennedy standards, it was a fender-bender," Carr noted.

According to the police report, there was no indication that Kennedy was driving under the influence, with his physical condition described as "appearing normal."

Kennedy's handwriting after the accident, however, didn't appear normal, Carr told Levin, explaining that in Rhode Island police require drivers to write their own accident statement.

"It looks like it was written by a chimpanzee, or a 2-year-old," Carr said, speculating that it could been caused by "medications" Kennedy was taking.

After the second crash, Kennedy relased a statement saying he was taking Ambien, a drug linked to disoriented behavior in press reports.

[RushCrush]

Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark.

[Izzy Dunne]

he was taking Ambien, a drug linked to disoriented behavior in press reports.

How does him taking Ambien lead to disoriented press reports?

[AD from SpringBay]

Appearing on ABC Radio's Mark Levin Show last night, WRKO Boston radio host Howie Carr detailed the earlier accident, which went unnoted outside of the local press in Providence, Rhode Island.

That's because Kennedy is a democrat and they get treated differently. Now, if ANY congressional Republican were involved then we would be in the third week of investigations by now.

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

Just like his pops.

[Lucretia Borgia]

Just like Uncle Ted.

[timsbella]

Driving under the influence is a big story, but in my estimation, the police cover up and not even a basic field sobriety test is the BIGGER story here.

[RushCrush]

Also, he can blame these accidents on any medication or medication combo he wants. The responsibility STILL lies with the person who takes the drug.

You don't just blindly toss pills down your gullet- you're responsible for checking out the side effects, reading the bottle and perhaps even researching the effect of certain drug combinations.

So even if he WASN'T drinking, he still should have taken full responsibility for this.

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

And a few more showing trhe acorn ain't fall too far from the tree.

[DakotaRed]

Since he now claims this was simply due to "disorientation" brought on by prescribed medication and he only "thought" he had a vote to go to, is it possible he has been just as "disoriented" when actually casting votes in the House?

Perhaps some Prosecutor should subpeona his medical records over the next couple years and seek out how many doctors he has been shopping!

Nah, never happen, he's a Kennedy!

[Velveeta]

Kennedy has encouraged increased development of energy-efficient cars and appliances, savings that would greatly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and end the debate on environmentally unsound policies like drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
http://www.patrickkennedy.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B582B397D-B81F-4277-AB1F-B8D1DEB724A1%7D


Ford Crown Victoria -
Is that an energy-efficient car????

[AD from SpringBay]

That's exactly right. You or I would be held accountable, regardless. If he can't control his actions when on medicine then he needs to be locked up until his gastro(belly ache) is cured.

[finnman69]

Driving While Kennedy

[RushCrush]

My other question: does this guy have a wife, and was she at home when he allegedly took the sleeping pills and left 'to go vote'?

[TSchmereL]

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/celebrity/william_kennedy/index.html

It was nearly eleven in the evening on March 30, 1991 when Senator Ted Kennedy, his son Patrick, 23, and nephew William Kennedy Smith, 30, left the Kennedy family's Palm Beach, Florida ocean front holiday retreat to go out for drinks at a popular bistro known as Ann'z. Even though it was late, things were just getting moving in the city and the Kennedys wanted to be a part of the fun. After a brief stop at the bistro, Ted, Patrick and William went to another nightspot named Au Bar, "where trust fund idlers, obscure blue bloods, bejeweled society matrons and erstwhile celebs like Roxanne Pulitzer" went to rub elbows.

While at the bar, Patrick met a 27-year-old Testa's Restaurant waitress, Michelle Cassone, with whom he danced and shared drinks. William also met a woman named Patricia Bowman, a 29-year-old single mother out with her girlfriend, Anne Weatherly Mercer. Later that evening when the bars closed, the two couples went back to the Kennedy family retreat for the remainder of the evening.

Michelle and Patrick drank wine and talked in the living room. According to Green, at one point Ted Kennedy walked into the room "without his trousers" and sporting only a long-tailed shirt, something that made Michelle Cassone feel extremely uncomfortable. She was quoted in the article saying that they went to sit outside on the sea wall, where the three talked about the ocean and "the importance of the family."

In a different location at the Kennedy compound, Patricia Bowman and William Kennedy Smith were talking as they strolled along the beach. In a December 1991 People Weekly article, Linda Mark quoted Patricia as saying that William "suddenly took off his clothes and jumped in the ocean." Feeling uneasy, Patricia turned around and started back towards the house. It was then, Mark suggested, that William allegedly tackled Patricia, threw her to the ground and, despite her cries of protest, raped her. Soon after, Patricia went back to the house and called Anne Mercer, who picked her up at the Kennedys' residence. She was taken to the Palm Beach Police Station where she made a rape report and was then taken to Humana Hospital, located nearby, where she was treated for injuries and subjected to forensic testing. A police official stated that he was, "99 percent sure" that Patricia was the victim of a sex crime, Green reported.

Michelle, Patrick and Ted, who were also at the estate, allegedly had no knowledge that any crime occurred that evening. The following Monday, news of the alleged rape spread quickly. In fact, at the time it became one of the most highly publicized rape cases in United States history.

In mid May 1991, over a thousand pages of official documents concerning the case, including the depositions of Ted, William and Patrick were publicly released. Carlson reported in a May 1991 Time article that the documents showed, "that the senator initially stonewalled the police and that neither he nor his son Patrick...was truthful."

Carlson also claimed that a visiting guest of the senator, former FBI agent William Barry, lied to investigators who came to the house when he told them that neither William nor Ted were at the residence when they actually were.

[NonValueAdded]

Daddy Ted. The martini olive doesn't fall far from the tree.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Maybe he'll go snow skiing or flying with Ted this weekend.

[Choose Ye This Day]

I think the problem is he keeps driving Fords.

(ducking)

[N. Theknow]

Maybe he'll go snow skiing or flying with Ted this weekend.

Maybe he will play in the Michael Skakel Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Check my tagline.

[N. Theknow]

Maybe he'll go snow skiing or flying with Ted this weekend.

Maybe he will play in the Michael Skakel Celebrity Golf Tournament.

OR

The William Kennedy Smith Sadie Hawkins Day Dance.

[george76]

A second crash !

More Olives...

"The olive doesn't roll far from the martini glass."

[ccmay]

a visiting guest of the senator, former FBI agent William Barry, lied to investigators

Visiting guest my ass. Bodyguard and fixer is more like it. Kept on staff to flash his FBI and Congressional ID's at local-yokel policemen investigating the latest Kennedy family outrage. Probably one of Bulger's crooked bunch.

-ccm

[laconic]

Apparently, they've run out of second cousins from the poor side of the family who are willing to take the rap.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Daddy Ted. Mommy Joan (ward of guardianship set up to protect her assets from her drinking).

Obviously he was able to run the clock on collecting evidence of DUI by blood or breath. However - it's not outside of the normal realm of post accident investigation to get his cell phone records and to determine who he called and how long he spoke at the time of the accident and in the ensuing 1 hr. This is a page out his father's playbook - at Chappaquiddick his father called Joseph Gargan numerous times before figuring out what to do, in this instance the offspring made similar spin control calls. Find out who.

[hermgem]

Like father like son.

[Incorrigible]

Thanks Carl! You da man!

[BadAndy]

Kennedys and conveyances of any kind don't mix.

[geezerwheezer]

When is the MSM going to wake up and realize that the American public "gets it" about these Kennedy a$$holes? I'm tired of reading about their so-called medications, etc. If they are that sick (and yes, they are) they should check into the looney farms and rehab centers AND STAY THERE until they are healed.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Did they skip the field sobriety test then as well?

[Seaplaner]

...the police cover up and not even a basic field sobriety test is the BIGGER story here.

Absolutely!

As I remarked on an earlier thread...

The arresting officers need to answer some questions.

1. Who decided not to administer sobriety tests?

2. Who decided not to administer blood drug screening tests?

3. Were the officers over-ruled or coerced in ANY way to deviate from normal procedures?

4. Were there any threats or offers of favors given to the officers for their "cooperation"?

5. What are the various standard procedures that the arresting officers deviated from (either under order or on thier own volition?) List them.

6. What are other police officers of the same unit saying?

7. (And, a question for the FBI) Is the FBI going to investigate this as a potential police corruption/cover up crime?

.

Tag Line Alpha

.Democrats - - the party of blames, lies, accusations, and subversion. The once great party of Roosevelt now chooses Stalin.

.

[Caged in Canuckistan]

If he was on some kind of medication that makes you drowsy, then technicially he was driving while impaired. I don't know how it works in Rhode Island, but in Canada you get treated the same whether you are drunk, stoned, or on medication - you are charged with impaired driving. And the consequences are harsh...you lose your licence for 90 days, get fined around $1,000, and (this is the killer) you have to pay triple your car insurance for like 3 years.

I guess with the Kennedy's being so influential in New England for so long, perhaps the impaired driving laws aren't as tough as they should be?

[MissAmericanPie]

All my guns have killed less people than Kennedy automobiles.

[Starboard]

By Kennedy standards, it was a fender-bender

Another Kennedy Kar Krash.

[Socratic]

until his gastro(belly ache) is cured.

Consider that alcoholic gastritis.

[Salvation]

shing is really wrong heree. Will ABCNNBCBS report? I doubt it.

[detsaoT]

Driving under the influence is a big story, but in my estimation, the police cover up and not even a basic field sobriety test is the BIGGER story here.

Technically, members of the Congress are exempt from the laws in effect in the District, are they not? Nevertheless, the House does have the exclusive power, quote, to "punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member." Perhaps they should exercise that power for the first time in decades.

[maggief]

[perez24]

I might be mixing up my pharamceutical commercials, but doesnt't the disclaimer at the end of the Ambien commercial say not take it unless you can have 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep.

Fred Grandy (yes, ex-Gopher from Love Boat) was speculating a "sleep-driving" defense.

[Salvation]

**shing **

Oops.

Something is really wrong here.

[vox_freedom]

Technically, members of the Congress are exempt from the laws in effect in the District, are they not?

Er, no they are not exempt, technically or otherwise.

[AppyPappy]

"Kennedy has encouraged increased development of energy-efficient cars and appliances, savings that would greatly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and end the debate on environmentally unsound policies like drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."

But he will claim his mental illness makes him unable to function normally in society ie not drive drunk and not tell the truth. And he can lecture us on the moral issues of oil consumption from his Crown Vic even though he has a condition that causes him to lie.

[Izzy Dunne]

I have no idea - I've never seen that commercial.

[Blueflag]

"... Kennedy relased a statement saying he was taking Ambien."

One is never "taking Ambien" the way one takes aspirin or cold medicine. You don't prescribe it OR take it "3 times a day" It is NOT a maintenance medicine. If he took Ambien and then operated a motor vehicle, then he was DUI, DWI and similar.

Ambien is a powerful soporific that no sane or rational person takes unless they WANT to fall asleep. A 10 mg Ambien will knock a 250 lb male on their keister in 30 minutes.

You simply don't take Ambien until it is time to sleep. If he tries to say the Ambein he took the night before made him goofy the next night, then he (a) certainly operated under the influence the morning of that day, went to work UI, and then committed DUI. A simpler explanation is that he is lying.

Now, taking Ambien AND alcohol at the same time will really knock you silly.

But I just cannot go with the story that he is STUPID enough to have taken Ambien and then tried to drive.

Can someone spin a rational story out of this??

[Zathras]

Anyone who would drive while taking Ambien is a moron. I can't even imagine the effort it would take.

I took some for a flight from SF to Hong Kong and was dead for 10 hrs.
Made the long flight real easy though.

[Blind Eye Jones]

What I find amazing is how fast CNN goes into defensive mode with footage and interviews of people who've taken the ambien sleeping pills and are presumed to be drunk... Sonja Gupta interviews, police footage, interviews with people's faces blanked out, on and on... all basically backing up Kennedy's testimony. CNN is especially friendly in this case.

[george76]

As long as Kennedy is drunk ...his stories will never make sense to sober people.

Only the blind, old media and the union bosses will pretend to buy which ever story is the latest excuse.

Soon, he will blame his dog.

[CaptainK]

He has a job for life in Rhode Island.

[ANGGAPO]

He on medication, Jack Daniels, one shot as required.

[COUNTrecount]

After the second crash, Kennedy relased a statement saying he was taking Ambien, a drug linked to disoriented behavior in press reports.

Ambien/Twinkie/Unconscious Driving Defense Alert.

Ambien Linked to 'Sleep Eating' Rare Cases of Unconscious Eating and Cooking Seen in Patients Using Sleeping Pill

[Blueflag]

Here ya go ... "INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS TAKING AMBIEN CR Your doctor has prescribed Ambien CR to help you sleep. The following information is intended to guide you in the safe use of this medicine. It is not meant to take the place of your doctor’s instructions. If you have any questions about Ambien CR tablets be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist. Ambien CR is used to treat different types of sleep problems, such as:
• waking up often during the night

Some people may have more than one of these problems. Ambien CR belongs to a group of medicines known as the “sedative/hypnotics”, or simply, sleep medicines. There are many different sleep medicines available to help people sleep better. Sleep problems are usually temporary, requiring treatment for only a short time, usually 1 or 2 days up to 1 or 2 weeks. Some people have chronic sleep problems that may require more prolonged use of sleep medicine. However, you should not use these medicines for long periods without talking with your doctor about the risks and benefits of prolonged use.

SIDE EFFECTS
Most common side effects:
• headache
• somnolence (sleepiness)
• dizziness

You may find that these medicines make you sleepy during the day. How drowsy you feel depends upon how your body reacts to the medicine, which sleep medicine you are taking, and how large a dose your doctor has prescribed. Daytime drowsiness is best avoided by taking the lowest dose possible that will still help you sleep at night. Your doctor will work with you to find the dose of Ambien CR that is best for you.

To manage these side effects while you are taking this medicine:
• When you first start taking Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine until you know whether the medicine will still have some carryover effect in you the next day, use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car, operating machinery, or piloting an aircraft.
• NEVER drink alcohol while you are being treated with Ambien CR or any sleep medicine. Alcohol can increase the side effects of Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine.
• Do not take any other medicines without asking your doctor first. This includes medicines you can buy without a prescription. Some medicines can cause drowsiness and are best avoided while taking Ambien CR.
• Always take the exact dose of Ambien CR prescribed by your doctor. Never change your dose without talking to your doctor first.


SPECIAL CONCERNS
There are some special problems that may occur while taking sleep medicines.
Memory problems: Sleep medicines may cause a special type of memory loss or “amnesia.” When this occurs, a person may not remember what has happened for several hours after taking the medicine. This is usually not a problem since most people fall asleep after taking the medicine.

Memory loss can be a problem, however, when sleep medicines are taken while traveling, such as during an airplane flight and the person wakes up before the effect of the medicine is gone. This has been called “traveler’s amnesia.”

Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think you are having memory problems. Although memory problems are not very common while taking Ambien CR, in most instances, they can be avoided if you take Ambien CR only when you are able to get a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again.

Tolerance: When sleep medicines are used every night for more than a few weeks, they may lose their effectiveness to help you sleep. This is known as “tolerance”. Sleep medicines should, in most cases, be used only for short periods of time, such as 1 or 2 days and generally no longer than 1 or 2 weeks. If your sleep problems continue, consult your doctor, who will determine whether other measures are needed to overcome your sleep problems.

Dependence: Sleep medicines can cause dependence, especially when these medicines are used regularly for longer than a few weeks or at high doses. Some people develop a need to continue taking their medicines. This is known as dependence or “addiction.”

When people develop dependence, they may have difficulty stopping the sleep medicine. If the medicine is suddenly stopped, the body is not able to function normally and unpleasant symptoms may occur (see Withdrawal). They may find that they have to keep taking the medicines either at the prescribed dose or at increasing doses just to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

All people taking sleep medicines have some risk of becoming dependent on the medicine. However, people who have been dependent on alcohol or other drugs in the past may have a higher chance of becoming addicted to sleep medicines. This possibility must be considered before using these medicines for more than a few weeks.

If you have been addicted to alcohol or drugs in the past, it is important to tell your doctor before starting Ambien or any sleep medicine.

Withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms may occur when sleep medicines are stopped suddenly after being used daily for a long time. In some cases, these symptoms can occur even if the medicine has been used for only a week or two.

Abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and rarely, seizures may occur. These more severe withdrawal symptoms are very uncommon.

Another problem that may occur when sleep medicines are stopped is known as “rebound insomnia.” This means that a person may have more trouble sleeping the first few nights after the medicine is stopped than before starting the medicine. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights.

If you have been taking Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine for more than 1 or 2 weeks, do not stop taking it on your own. Always follow your doctor’s directions.
Changes in behavior and thinking: Some people using sleep medicines have experienced unusual changes in their thinking and/or behavior. These effects are not common. However, they have included:
• more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal
• confusion
• strange behavior
• agitation
• hallucinations
• worsening of depression
• suicidal thoughts

How often these effects occur depends on several factors, such as a person’s general health, the use of other medicines, and which sleep medicine is being used.
It is also important to realize that it is rarely clear whether these behavior changes are caused by the medicine, an illness, or occur on their own. In fact, sleep problems that do not improve may be due to illnesses that were present before the medicine was used. If you or your family notice any changes in your behavior, or if you have any unusual or disturbing thoughts, call your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Sleep medicines may cause sedation of the unborn baby when used during the last weeks of pregnancy. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you become pregnant while taking Ambien CR.

SAFE USE OF SLEEPING MEDICINES To ensure the safe and effective use of Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine, you should observe the following cautions:

1. Ambien CR is a prescription medicine and should be used ONLY as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to take, when to take, and how long to take Ambien CR. Ambien CR tablets should not be divided, crushed, or chewed, and must be swallowed whole.
2. Never use Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine for longer than directed by your doctor.
3. If you notice any unusual and/or disturbing thoughts or behavior during treatment with Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine, contact your doctor.
4. Tell your doctor about any medicines you may be taking, including medicines you may buy without a prescription. You should also tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. DO NOT use alcohol while taking Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine.
5. Do not take Ambien CR unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep before you must be active again. For example, Ambien CR should not be taken on an overnight airplane flight of less than 7 to 8 hours since “traveler’s amnesia” may occur.
6. Do not increase the prescribed dose of Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine unless instructed by your doctor.
7. When you first start taking Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine, until you know whether the medicine will still have some carryover effect in you the next day, use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness, such as driving a car, operating machinery, or piloting an aircraft.
8. Be aware that you may have more sleeping problems the first night after stopping Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine.
9. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you become pregnant while taking Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine.
10. As with all prescription medicines, never share Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine with anyone else. Always store Ambien CR or any other sleep medicine in the original container that you received it in and store it out of reach of children.
11. Ambien CR works very quickly. You should only take Ambien CR right before going to bed and are ready to go to sleep. [<-- DUH!!!! ya think????.]
"
http://products.sanofi-aventis.us/ambien_cr/ambien_cr_pat_info.pdf