03/13/2009: "Man Cited On Ferry For Being Under The Influence"

The report of a 6:46 early morning call for medical assistance to a docked ferry at the Orcas landing on Wednesday has been explained.

Sheriff Bill Cumming said Orcas responders were called out ( Medic 21 and A22), after ferry personnel found 2 incoherent people in a car on the deck of the ferry that was unable to off load, because the people were at first not responding, and then slow to respond to attempts by the ferry crew to wake them, and then to get them to move their car.

The crew became alarmed that the couple may have been affected by carbon monoxide poisoning, but upon arrival the first responders determined the occupants were alert and talking, and quickly ruled CO2 poisoning as the reason for the odd behavior of the couple.

The Sheriff's office was contacted, and when a responding deputy investigated, the male driver was taken into custody after it was determined the driver was under the influence of something -although not alcohol- and was impaired while being in physical control of a vehicle.

The driver was held for investigation, and later released. A report was forwarded to the office of the Prosecuting attorney for possible criminal action.