Wyoming Psychiatrist Convicted for Huffing and Driving

Via: Powell Tribune

Cody, WY - A local psychiatrist, Matthew Hopkins, has been convicted for driving into a car head-on while under the influence of inhalants and injuring the woman in the other vehicle. A jury convicted him of a felony count of aggravated assault and battery and misdemeanor counts of driving while under the influence of a substance and unlawful use of a toxic substance. Hopkins was sentenced to 18 to 36 months in prison for his offenses. The incident occurred after Hopkins inhaled from a can of dust cleaner and tried driving to his office only to pass out at the wheel and drift into the other lane hitting the other car.

Close friends of Hopkins asked for no prison time and instead mandatory rehabilitation but the Deputy Attorney asked for six to eight years since this is not Hopkins first relapse with substance abuse. In 2003, his medical license was suspended in New Hampshire after he was found writing himself prescriptions. From November 2011 to April 2012, his license was suspended in Wyoming for noncompliance with his monitoring program. All of Hopkins license restrictions were removed in 2015 but he began to relapse publicly in later 2016 after the death of his father. In November of 2016, Hopkins was arrested after he clipped a car in a parking lot and drove off. Police believed him to be under the influence but lacked evidence to prove it so he was awaiting trial. In June 2017, he fell off his bike and police officers found his blood alcohol to be more than twice the legal limit.

Due to his long history of substance abuse the judge and jury felt that more than rehabilitation was required for Hopkins. They said that he was very smart and new the dangers of huffing but made the choice to drive regardless. Hopkins relinquished his medical license and will most likely never practice again.

Florida Man Arrested for Huffing and Driving

Via: News 4 JAX

Gainsville, FL - A 33-year-old man was arrested for huffing and driving after officials found him slumped over the wheel of his car while holding a can of air duster. Officials knocked on the window of his car but the man proceeded to wake up, inhale from the can, and drive off before he hit two vehicles, a mailbox and finally came to a stop. They were then able to arrest him for property damage, driving without a license, inhaling harmful chemicals and attempting to flee police. 

Utah Man Hits Gas Pump While Driving and Huffing

Via: St. George News

St. George, UT - A man was arrested after hitting a gas pump causing an explosion and fleeing the scene. After eye-witness reports determined the location of the driver, police arrested him. Luckily due to joint law enforcement and fire department forces there were no injuries.

New Mexico Man Kills Woman While Driving and Huffing

Via: Santa Fe New Mexican

Farmington, NM -  A 23-year-old man is accused of killing a 76-year-old woman after driving while under the influence of air duster. The man inhaled from an air duster two to three times before driving off and side swiping a mini-van then driving into the victims yard striking her. He then proceeded to drive through a brick fence and hit a home three houses down before stopping. When questioned the man said he blacked out after inhaling the air duster and woke up after the crash. Despite passing the sobriety test the man was acting erratically according to officials.  

South Dakota Mother Arrested for Driving and Huffing

Via: The Public Opinion 

Watertown, SC - A 24-year-woman was found by police passed out at the wheel from inhaling dust cleaner. Police responded to reports of a car driving in the wrong direction and found the woman with her child in the back seat of the car. She was charged with ingesting an intoxicant and child abuse since her child was 4-years-old.

South Carolina Man Arrested for Huffing

Via: Myrtle Beach Online

Myrtle Beach, SC- A 60-year-old man was arrested for huffing dust cleaner after police responded to reports of a disorderly person. The police found eight cans of dust cleaner in his car.

Tennessee Woman Arrested for Huffing and Driving

Via: The Daily Times

Blount County, TN - A 25-year-old woman was arrested after police found her unconscious in her car while holding a can of computer duster. The woman purchased three cans of computer duster then proceeded to drive to her local church to celebrate her sobriety. She later crashed into a tree then drove away before passing out in an intersection. Police found her at the intersection after seeing that cars had backed up from her restricting the flow of traffic.

Ohio Man Arrested for Huffing

Via: WKYC 3

Strongsville, OH - A man was found huffing computer duster in a Walmart by local police and later arrested. When police arrived on the scene, the man pulled out a knife and held it to his throat prompting officers to tase him to avoid injury. He was later taken to the hospital and remains under police guard.

Massachusetts Man Arrested for Huffing

Via: Salem Patch

Andover, MA- A 20-year-old man was arrested after police responded to a call reporting a man looking through shopping carts in the local BJ's store. The police arrested him for prowling and inhaling aerosols.

Pennsylvania Man Arrested After Huffing in Front of Police

Via: Penn Live

Harrisburg, PA - A man was arrested after police responded to reports of a man having a cardiac arrest where they found him semi-conscious. When police found him he had a can of air duster and huffed it right in front of them.

Wyoming Woman Arrested for Huffing

Via: Oil City News

Casper, WY - A woman was arrested after police received reports about a woman sucking air from air dusters and laying in the dirt. The woman initially denied using the aerosol and gave police a fake name but authorities were able correctly identify her since there was a local warrant for her arrest. She then confessed to inhaling the air duster and was arrested.

Arkansas Man Arrested for Huffing

Via: Arkansas Online

Little Rock, AK - A man was arrested for inhaling aerosols after local police found him standing out of his vehicle's sunroof. The police found a can of air duster in his vehicle. 

Michigan Woman Arrested for Huffing Dust Cleaner in Costco

Via: WTMJ- TV Milwaukee

Bloomfield Township, MI - An 18-year-old woman was arrested for theft and inhalant abuse in a Costco in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. The manager found the woman huffing a can of dust cleaner in the woman's bathroom. The woman later confessed to the theft of the dust cleaner and was arrested by local police.

Missouri Man Arrested for Stealing and Abusing Inhalants

Via: Fox St. Louis

St. Louis County, MO - A man was arrested in Walmart by local police for theft and abuse of aerosols. This individual has had interactions with authorities two dozen times in this year alone. His latest incident has sparked a discussion about proper responses for repeat offenders since there is a larger issue at play, addiction. The county counselor highlighted the options individuals struggling with addition have in the legal system such as, referring them to proper treatment facilities and other resources.

Two men arrested after huffing and possession of ammunition

Via: North Escambia

Walnut Hill, FL: Two men were arrested after they were found in possession of 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and one man high from huffing canisters of compressed air. They were held in the Escambia County Jail with bails set at $15,000 and $16,000.

Man faces felony charge for inhalant abuse

Via: The Vindicator

Youngstown, OH: A man was charged with a felony of abusing harmful intoxicants after police found him behind Target surrounded by nine compressed air cans. He was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and then transferred to the Mahoning County jail.

Teenager Arrested After Huffing and Crashing Car

Via: Midland Daily News 

Midland County, Michigan- A 17 year-old boy was arrested for drugged driving after crashing his car into several parked vehicles. He had passed out behind the wheel after huffing an unspecified chemical.

Man arrested after huffing outside Walmart

Via The Island Packet

Bluffton, SC: A man was arrested after being found on a bench outside of the Bluffton Walmart, surrounded by a dozen cans of Dust Off. He denied treatment from EMS, but admitted to purchasing all of the products around midnight and inhaling them over the course of the next seven and a half hours. 

Man huffs 50 to 75 cans of whipped cream per day

Via Kiro 7

Ashford, WA: A 51-year-old man was arrested after his roommate reported that he was being aggressive and refusing to leave their home. He suffers from inhalant abuse, and spends close to $1,000 each month on whipped cream, huffing 50 to 75 cans per day. After his arrest, two knives were found in his possession and he admitted to an inhalant addiction. 

Man arrested after huffing and rear-ending a police car

Via The Olympian

Olympia, WA: A man was arrested after admitting to huffing an air freshener can and rear-ending the back of a police vehicle at the Sea-Tac Airport. He exhibited erratic behavior and an unwillingness to obey orders.