BELFAST, Maine — Police Chief Mike McFadden was bit by one of the dogs in Kitina Bragg’s Jeep when the woman was stopped Tuesday, July 10, for erratic operation. But the worst of it came in the side effects the chief reported suffering from the enhanced tetanus shot he had to receive because of the wound.
McFadden was feeling better Thursday, after suffering flu-like symptoms he attributed to the shot.
The incident began when a driver called the Waldo County dispatch center shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday to report a vehicle traveling east on Route 3 that was operating erratically. The caller told a dispatcher the vehicle “is going to kill someone.”
Office Brian Lunt stopped the vehicle on Route 3 near the Belfast Curling Club, Detective Bryan Cunningham reported. Bragg, 38, of China was the driver. With her were her 13-year-old son and two dogs. McFadden assisted at the scene and was bitten in the shoulder by one of the dogs.
Lunt’s report indicated that Bragg was “obviously under the influence,” with slurred speech and bloodshot, glassy eyes. During a field sobriety test, the woman appeared unsteady, the officer reported.
Bragg told police she had taken methadone earlier in the day.
She was taken into custody, and an intoxilyzer test was administered which showed no presence of alcohol. Waldo County Deputy Ben Seekins, a trained drug recognition expert, evaluated Bragg and determined she was under the influence of drugs. She was arrested and charged with operating under the influence.
The boy was picked up by a family member and the dogs were transported to the Camden-Rockport Rescue League.
Cunningham said it is not illegal to be driving after taking methadone, a replacement drug for heroin administered by medical clinics, but that if a driver is impaired by any substance, he or she can be charged with OUI.
so..shes under the influence of methadone..arrested for OUI….but its not illegal to drive while on the substance….anyone else confused?
what they’re saying is that it’s not illegal to drive to the clinic get your dose and then drive home while on the drug, but if your impaired to drive you can be charged
No one should be driving under the influence of anything, even anger. But this law is strange. Some can hold more booze then others. What if they are .12, but not impaired. I never would, mind you, but why can’t I smoke a bowl and drive, so long as i’m not impaired? Because this drug is legal? That’s nuts. If one requires a legal oxy, they shouldn’t be allowed to drive. Same as these drugs, impaired or not, you are under the influence. But a lawmaker I am not.
All you out there with the legal oxys didn’t agee with that statement, huh? Mums the word.
(It’s alright, they’re Dr. prescribed…)
Its like booze. You can have a drink and then drive…but if you have so many drinks its _impairs_ you…then no you can’t drive.
I though the exact same thing!!
Let’s have the rest of the story here, WHY did the dogs bite, and what will happen to them now?
THANK YOU to the citizen that called in to report this woman. it’s with very little doubt that you most certainly saved a life if not lives that day.
I agree, how scary that she was driving & even scarier that we are on the road daily with drivers just like her, we just don’t know it until something like this happens or worse.
The citizen who called this in is a wonderful person and I am proud to call her a friend.
How did you determine the gender of the caller?
it’s right there in cyclingmom’s post…apparently she’s friends with the woman who called it in.
Please tell your friend that I am so greatful to her for saving my nephews life!!!
Blows my mind how anyone can argue that the current system isn’t completely defunct.
I will ask it again – why do people do this to themselves? Seriously? Not sure if I will ever understand…
I think the Chief can be glad SHE didnt bite him…
Let me see…………Methadone …… ok…….smoking pot ……. not!
“I use to be Snow White but then I drifted”…Mae West.
.
Thankfully the child is alright, now someone save the dog too!
I am very disappointed to see my comment was removed. It was 1. civil and on topic 2. had no vulgarity, racial slurs, name calling or personal attack. It was the truth!! I am very scared for the safety of this child and appalled that she still has him in her custody. I ask all of you that if you see a child in the care of any adult who seems to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol to please report it to the police.
Sometimes you have to wonder about the ones making these editing decisions.
It’s a three year old with a crayon…
Don’t get me going on this. BDN comment police appear to be completely arbitrary. From the looks of it, they have favorite posters who are held to a different standard. It might also have something to do with the tattletales who flag other people’s posts. I don’t think anybody’s post should be flagged. If somebody writes something controversial, let everybody see it and make up their own mind (not that what you wrote was controversial, because I didn’t see it).
yeah, bdn doesn’t like the honest posts. what a joke.
Heck of a mug shot that will be on the internet for awhile.
All the serious and obvious things being previously noted……Curious the article lists the arrest/stop as 7/10/12 and the mug shot is dated 7/9/12.
And the crybabies whine when the Gov wants to put a limit on how long people can get the free high! One picture is worth a thousand words
They still get free rides to Bangor each day for methadone. Then the private lynx drivers take them on errands. The person down the street that needs chemo cant get a ride. Close the frikken clinics now.
yeah baby, i agree!!
Drug rehab at its finest…
Glad that it is LEGAL to drive while on methadone… REALLY???? what about the rest of the world?
Sept. 2011 Court News
http://www.kjonline.com/130609658.html
Kitina Bragg, 37, of China, OUI July 13 in China; $500 fine, 90-day license suspension.
yeah, methodone’s doing such great things for our state. what a bunch of bs
This quote kills me “it is not illegal to be driving after taking methadone” how many people have you heard of that have got into a vehicle accident after driving home from the methadone clinic and falling asleep at the wheel?? I can’t count on one hand! And most of these people drive there with their kids in the back seat! It sickens me to think that this is happening. In my eyes it should be illegal because the last I checked methadone is a drug that affects the body in several different ways.
That’s gonna take more methadone! Yup that will cure her!
OMG, check out her facebook page…Studied at presently attending kvcc mental health program.substance abuse counslerLives inSouth China, MaineMarriedFrom Brooks, Maine
https://www.facebook.com/kitina.bragg