Chuck Matson, Omaha Police Department
Recently the city of Grand Island, Nebraska, discovered first hand why having DREs is so essential when they investigated a motor vehicle homicide where the driver was under-the-influence of Dust Off.If this crash had occurred in a jurisdiction without a strong DRE program this inhalant abuser would have likely skated with a lesser charge. Here is a small portion of the story behind the story.
In June of 2009, 83 year old Marceline Forst was picking mulberries in her yard when she was struck and killed by a 24 year old pickup truck driver. DRE Instructor Sgt. Dale Hilderbrand was first on the scene. He conducted FST on location and followed with a complete evaluation 3 hours later. The actual drug influence assessment was delayed because the driver had been transported to the hospital. Due to his DRE training Dale realized the importance of documenting vital signs and other physical indicators while at the hospital.
Without a DRE heading the investigation some important evidence may have been overlooked:
· Locating witnesses who observed erratic driving prior to the collision
· Realizing the significant of a can of Dust Off in the cab of the truck
· Locating a store receipt indicating the compressed chemical cleaner was the single product purchased 11 minutes prior to crash
· Searching for and discovering a store video of the driver leaving the parking lot nine minutes before the collision. The store was a little over two miles from the scene
· Measuring the can contents to determine that one ounce of the product had been inhaled between the lot and the crash. The driver passed out behind the wheel
*Note: the motorist later admitted that he was using the Dust Off so he could get high and avoid testing positive on his routine probation for a prior DUI)UAs & breath tests. He was also caught drinking while out on bond for this case.
Deputy County Attorney Lynelle Holmolka recognized the value of the DRE related evidence that had been gathered and she tenaciously worked on the case. Her efforts resulted in an early plea by the defense.
Amy Chocems from Wisconsin directed the police department to a lab able to detect the chemicals in the keyboard cleaner and was prepared to testify as an expert witness.
Never underestimate the value of what you do.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Schulz, The Grand Island Independent
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