Last week, we discussed the truck accident involving Kerry Kennedy, the former wife of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy. The accident happened earlier this month. Kennedy hit a tractor-trailer, but failed to stop. She left the highway and was later found by police sitting at a stop light.
Kennedy told police that she may have accidently taken a sleeping pill that morning. However, no drugs or alcohol were found in her system. After undergoing tests at Mount Sinai Medical Center, it appears that the accident may have been caused by a partial seizure that was triggered by a previous head injury.
Kennedy has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs. She has pleaded not guilty, but will be forced to undergo a substance abuse evaluation.
At her arraignment, Kennedy maintained that she did not break any laws. However, she did offer an apology.
“I want to apologize to the driver of the truck who I apparently hit and to all those I endangered while driving my car last Friday morning,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy says that she recalls getting onto the highway that morning, but has no idea what happened from that point until she was stopped by a police officer.
If in fact the accident was caused by a partial seizure, it shows how devastating a head injury can be and how difficult it can be to diagnose. A head injury may cause changes in mood, coma, seizures and even death.
As this case is investigated further, it may not only provide us with more information on exactly what caused the accident. It may also show us the potentially long-term effects of a serious head injury.
Source: The New York Times, “Kerry Kennedy Cites Possible Seizure, Not Drugs, in Car Crash,” Wendy Ruderman and Michael Schwirtz, July 17, 2012
