Post by WaTcHeR on Jan 14, 2007 17:40:09 GMT -5
01.14.2007 - An off-duty Ann Arbor police officer had consumed more than twice the legal limit for drunken driving when she caused a crash that seriously injured a nurse on New Year's Day, officials said Friday.
Officer Robin Harrington, 37, was arraigned Friday in
Washtenaw County district court on a felony charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing a serious injury. She has been on paid administrative leave since the crash.
A blood test showed Harrington's blood alcohol content was slightly more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 when her car struck another vehicle head-on at 8 a.m. Jan. 1 along Jackson Road in Scio Township, said Washtenaw County Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler. He did not release her exact blood alcohol level, but the mother of the injured woman said she was told it was 0.17. Other sources confirmed that number.
Harrington, of Ypsilanti, remains free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond with conditions, which include not consuming alcohol or drugs. She also must begin treatment next week at the Greenbrook Recovery Center at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, said Joe Simon, her Ann Arbor attorney.
"She's very remorseful and very contrite,'' Simon said. "This is a law-abiding citizen her entire life and an excellent police officer, and it's just a tragedy for all involved.''
Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller would not comment on any specifics of the case. He said the charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
Harrington will remain on paid administrative leave while both the criminal case and an internal investigation proceed, said Ann Arbor Deputy Police Chief Greg O'Dell. She refused a preliminary breath test at the scene, but consented to a blood draw at the hospital, officials said.
Sheriff's deputies said Harrington's car crossed the center line from eastbound Jackson Road, striking a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Jessica Adams. The nurse was headed to her Scio Township home after working an overnight shift at the University of Michigan Hospital.
Adams suffered several broken bones. She was hospitalized for a week, and faces future surgeries to fully regain the use of her legs, said her mother, Becki Job of Somerset Lake in Hillsdale County.
Job said she's thankful her daughter is alive, but is incensed at the thought of a police officer breaking the law.
"I'm angry, I'm not going to deny it,'' she said. "Jessie had so much going for her and to have this happen to her so someone could be out partying is just hard to take.''
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6.
www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1168674825241560.xml&coll=2
Officer Robin Harrington, 37, was arraigned Friday in
Washtenaw County district court on a felony charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing a serious injury. She has been on paid administrative leave since the crash.
A blood test showed Harrington's blood alcohol content was slightly more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 when her car struck another vehicle head-on at 8 a.m. Jan. 1 along Jackson Road in Scio Township, said Washtenaw County Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler. He did not release her exact blood alcohol level, but the mother of the injured woman said she was told it was 0.17. Other sources confirmed that number.
Harrington, of Ypsilanti, remains free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond with conditions, which include not consuming alcohol or drugs. She also must begin treatment next week at the Greenbrook Recovery Center at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, said Joe Simon, her Ann Arbor attorney.
"She's very remorseful and very contrite,'' Simon said. "This is a law-abiding citizen her entire life and an excellent police officer, and it's just a tragedy for all involved.''
Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller would not comment on any specifics of the case. He said the charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
Harrington will remain on paid administrative leave while both the criminal case and an internal investigation proceed, said Ann Arbor Deputy Police Chief Greg O'Dell. She refused a preliminary breath test at the scene, but consented to a blood draw at the hospital, officials said.
Sheriff's deputies said Harrington's car crossed the center line from eastbound Jackson Road, striking a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Jessica Adams. The nurse was headed to her Scio Township home after working an overnight shift at the University of Michigan Hospital.
Adams suffered several broken bones. She was hospitalized for a week, and faces future surgeries to fully regain the use of her legs, said her mother, Becki Job of Somerset Lake in Hillsdale County.
Job said she's thankful her daughter is alive, but is incensed at the thought of a police officer breaking the law.
"I'm angry, I'm not going to deny it,'' she said. "Jessie had so much going for her and to have this happen to her so someone could be out partying is just hard to take.''
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6.
www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1168674825241560.xml&coll=2