Indiana Woman Allegedly Huffs Computer Duster on Back of Motorcycle

Via www.nwitimes.com

On Monday August 31^st, a woman was arrested after inhaling keyboard cleaner while riding on the back of a motorcycle in Hobart, Indiana. Officers first responded to the case after they received reports of a woman lying in the middle of the street. When they found the woman in question, she responded by stating that she was alright and that simply fallen off of the motorcycle. Officers noticed that she had a can of keyboard cleaner in her purse. However, she claimed that she had simply purchased it to help clean a friend’s computer. Despite this story, the officers decided to follow her after she got back on the motorcycle.

During this time they witnessed her huffing from the can and subsequently going limp and nearly falling off again. Allegedly she admitted to one of the officers that she inhaled because she was “having a bad day.” Ultimately she was arrested and charged with inhaling toxic vapors, a misdemeanor, and was transported to Porter County Jail. The driver claimed to have no knowledge of her actions.

Vermont Man Pleads Guilty to Huffing Behind the Wheel

Via the Burlington Free Press in Vermont:

A 19 year old man has pleaded guilty to huffing behind the wheel, resulting in the death of a 56 year old New Hampshire man.

The accident occurred June 30^th of last year. The driver hit the motorcyclist, causing him to roll onto the hood of the car and then under a wheel. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital.  The car's passenger later told police they had both huffed computer dusting spray while driving.  

 

At the driver’s arraignment last August the judge ordered the defendant released on the condition he attend a residential treatment program. In exchange for his guilty plea yesterday the prosecution agreed to “drop a charge of gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in death and to argue, at sentencing, for no more than a five-year prison sentence.” At the man’s sentencing next month he can argue for a suspended sentence of 15 years and no prison time.

Pennsylvania Coroner's Report Confirms Teens Huffed Behind the Wheel

Via the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:


Pennsylvania State Police released the findings of a coroner’s report that has confirmed that huffing was involved in the October 3, 2012 crash last fall that killed three 18 year old Pennsylvania teens and a 47 year old Canadian motorcyclist. Four others were injured.

The report six teens were in a car was traveling down I-79 and they had huffed computer dusting spray. The car “abruptly and for undetermined reasons" drove up a hilly median, went airborne and then “landed in the southbound lane where it hit a camper and collided with the motorcycle.” The motorcyclist’s passenger was flown to the hospital while the three teens were brought to the same hospital via ambulance.

Second Inhalant Fatality in Vermont

Via WCAX in Vermont:

Last week we posted about the tragic case in Rutland where a 17 year old girl was killed after a driver passed out after huffing behind the wheel. 

This article from yesterday also points out that the Rutland case was the second inhalant related crash and fatality in two months.  In the previous case, a 18year old male was huffing while driving and crashed into the back of a motorcycle, killing the 56 year old rider.

Former UCF Student Sentenced

From The Central Florida Future in Florida

A former University of Central Florida student will spend 18 months in prison in connection to an October 2006 car crash that left another UCF student dead. Malcolm Barnes pled “no contest in a Florida court November 20th for DUI and manslaughter charges.”

Accident reports reveal Barnes was under the influence of inhalants when he drove into oncoming traffic, struck a motorcycle head on, and killed the driver near the UCF campus. Barnes was apparently so high that he was unaware he had hit another vehicle, and dragged the motorcyclist 300 feet before stopping.

Deputies discovered two cans of computer duster and a rag while searching Barnes’ vehicle. Blood tests also confirmed he had been ‘huffing.’

While the minimal prison sentence for a typical DUI manslaughter case is nine years, Barnes was given a lighter sentence due to his “true remorse” for his actions. He extended an apology to family members and friends of the victim stating, “I am ashamed and deeply sorry to be involved so negatively in your lives…you did not deserve this nightmare.”

In addition to serving 18 months in jail, he will also face two years of probation requiring him to spend 150 hours speaking to area youth about the dangers of ‘huffing’ and driving while intoxicated. His driver’s license has been revoked indefinitely.