Bonnie B. was driving in Montgomery County when she crossed a double-yellow line and collided with an oncoming car, killing the other driver and leaving Bonnie unconscious.
When police arrived at the scene, they found prescription painkillers in the glove box of Bonnie's vehicle. And while she was still passed out, an officer ordered Bonnie's blood to be drawn (and the results supposedly showed the presence of narcotics).
After the County Court of Montgomery County convicted her of reckless driving, she argued that the blood-test results shouldn't have been admitted into evidence at her trial. But the Appellate Division, Third Department, didn't agree. It thought the police had a legal basis to believe the woman was impaired at the time of the accident, and that the conduct of the blood test was proper.
That was a rude awakening.
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: People v. Bonnie B.