• 17
  • July
    2012

Kerry Kennedy will reportedly plead not guilty during a court appearance scheduled for this evening, according to media reports. Kennedy, the former wife of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, was arrested for DWAI drugs four days ago after she was found slumped over the steering wheel of her car after hitting an 18-wheeler on Interstate 684.

She's due to appear in court about 50 miles south of Newburgh in New Castle, New York.

Kennedy faces accusations that she was driving while impaired by drugs; possibly the sleep medication Ambien.

Kennedy was headed south on I-684 in her Lexus last Friday morning when witnesses said they saw her vehicle sideswipe a tractor-trailer and then drive off haphazardly.

Police officers later found Kennedy pulled over on Route 22, where she had apparently stopped because of a flat tire.

There are reports that police officers claim Kennedy admitted to law enforcement officials that she had taken Ambien prior to driving. The drug used to treat insomnia can sometimes cause people to "sleep walk" or "sleep drive."

Kennedy's attorney said initial tests for drugs and alcohol were negative.

One source told a media outlet that Kennedy had not told police she'd taken Ambien, but rather that she had said to officers that she might have mixed her medications up.

There are reports that Kennedy will be examined by physicians to see if they can determine whether she had some medical event prior to or during the crash, such as fainting or a seizure.

Source: lohud.com, "Kerry Kennedy to deny charge in North Castle crash," July 17, 2012