Rep. Kennedy in car accident near U.S. Capitol

Son of Sen. Kennedy denies alcohol was involved, says he will cooperate

 

WASHINGTON - Rep. Patrick Kennedy crashed his car near the Capitol early Thursday, and a police official said he appeared intoxicated. Kennedy said he had had no alcohol before the accident.

 

Kennedy, D-R.I., addressed the issue after a spate of news reports.

 

“I was involved in a traffic accident last night at First and C Street SE near the U.S. Capitol,” Kennedy said in a written statement released by his office. “I consumed no alcohol prior to the incident. I will fully cooperate with the Capitol Police in whatever investigation they choose to undertake.”

 

Kennedy appeared to be intoxicated when he crashed his car into a barrier on Capitol Hill early Thursday morning, said Louis P. Cannon, president of the Washington chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.

 

Cannon, who was not there, said the officers involved in the accident were instructed by an official “above the rank of patrolman” to take Kennedy home.

 

No sobriety tests were conducted at the scene.

 

A letter written by a Capitol Police officer to Acting Chief Christopher McGaffin said Kennedy appeared to be staggering when he left the vehicle after the crash about 3 a.m. The letter was first reported by Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper.

 

Kennedy said he was late for a vote, officer Greg Baird said in the letter to McGaffin. Baird is acting chairman of the Capitol Hill chapter of the FOP police union. The last vote of the night had occurred almost six hours earlier.

 

Kennedy, the son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and his staff declined to discuss any further details of the accident. The congressman took part in House votes Thursday.

 

Capitol Police did not immediately return phone calls for comment. They issued a one-line statement saying they were investigating a traffic violation that occurred early in the morning at that location.

 

Baird wrote McGaffin that two sergeants who responded to the accident conferred with the watch commander and were ordered to leave the scene.

 

He said that after the officers left, Capitol Police officials gave Kennedy a ride home.

 

Kennedy spent time at a drug rehabilitation clinic before he went to Providence College. He has been open about mental health issues, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

 

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634639/

 

 

 

Oh man. I am so embaressed for my state. I hate Patrick Kennedy, he's a spineless turd. But I guess as long as you bring the elderly their donuts every 2 years and ride on the coat tails of the past you can stay in Congress forever.

 

 

:rolleyes:

 

The only time Rhode Island makes the news is when one of our politicians does something idiotic. :snore:

Hey you got your star...congrats!!!

Hah, I know! I'm quite proud of it :smug: Thank you, thank you!

 

 

:P

 

 

I wonder what happens when it comes time for another one (that'll be awhile, obviously)....? Do you get TWO gold stars???

Idk...but I just gave you rep to get a new one!

Oh those Kennedies.

lmfao. Silly Kennedys.

 

 

*sigh*

 

 

It really embaresses me, though. It's like no one in this state gives a damn about politics, so they just vote for whatever name sounds most familiar. And that person is usually an idiot.

 

 

 

But with a father like Ted Kennedy you've got to be pretty messed up LMFAO

The whole Kennedy family is f**ked. Royally.

 

I could see it as a sitcom: Living with the Kennedys.

It'd be like... Arrested Developement. Buster would be Patrick. LMFAO!

 

I miss that show... :(

As do I.