U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy cut a deal with prosecutors Tuesday and pleaded guilty to charges that he was intoxicated by prescription drugs when he slammed his car into a barrier near the Capitol.
His voice slightly husky, Kennedy, 39, told D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Aida Melendez, “Yes, I am pleading guilty to driving under the influence.”
Authorities concluded an investigation into the May 4 crash about two weeks ago,but they had to plea-bargain the case because Kennedy was never taken into custody or given a sobriety test, D.C. Attorney General’s Office spokeswoman Traci L. Hughes told The Examiner.
Under the agreement, Kennedy, D-R.I., pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and prosecutors dropped charges of reckless driving and failure to show a driver’s permit.
Melendez sentenced him to 10 days in jail but suspended the sentence in lieu of one year’s probation.
Tuesday’s hearing provided the fullest account to date of the 3 a.m. crash. Assistant Attorney General David Rubenstein told a court crowded with media that a U.S. Capitol Police officer had to swerve to avoid Kennedy’s 1997 Ford Mustang after it went up onto a curb and careened back across the road into the oncoming lane.
The Mustang finally crashed into a raised barrier at the intersection of First and C streets SE, Rubenstein said. Capitol Police officers on the scene said Kennedy stumbled as he got out of his car, had red, watery eyes, and said he was on his way to a vote. He told the officers he was taking medicine for stomach flu.
Instead of taking him into custody, police were ordered to drive the congressman home.
He initially gave the wrong address and used his key to try to open the back gate of a neighbor’s home before realizing his mistake, Rubenstein said.
Kennedy later said he didn’t remember the crash and that it was the result of a bad reaction to prescription drugs.
He said he had taken Ambien, a sleeping pill which some users claim has caused them to sleepwalk, and Phenergan, which can cause drowsiness.
He said he hadn’t been drinking alcohol that night.
Within a week of the crash, Kennedy checked into the Mayo Clinic for treatment of a prescription drug addiction.
The incident was an embarrassment for the Capitol Police. The watch commander who ordered Kennedy escorted home has since been transferred.
Kennedy met briefly with the media outside the courtroom Tuesday.
“Today in court, I suffered the consequences of my actions,” Kennedy told reporters outside the courthouse. “I look forward today to moving on to the next chapter in my life.”
He took no questions.
Patrick Kennedy was given a year’s probation Tuesday. He is required to:
» Submit to treatment from Dr. Ronald Smith of Bethesda Naval Hospital
» Report for group therapy, including Alcoholics Anonymous.
» Take random drug tests
» Undergo psychotherapy
» Pay $100 to the D.C. crime victims’ fund
» Serve 50 hours of community service at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
» Pay $250 to the Boys & Girls Clubs
