Motorist Was Huffing Before Passing Out at Light

By WYDaily Staff Saturday, April 03, 2010

A 52-year-old local man was arrested Wednesday afternoon for driving while under the influence after police discovered him passed out behind the wheel of his car at a busy intersection.

Passing motorists called police to the traffic light at Route 199 and Jamestown Road around 4:30 p.m. to report the man had been traveling west on 199 when he stopped at the Jamestown signal. Motorists saw him hold an aerosol-type can to his face, then pass out behind the wheel.

When police arrived a few minutes later the man was still "out cold," James City Police Maj. Steve Rubino said, with a can of "duster" in his lap. Duster is the pressurized gas that's used to blow debris from computer keyboards and other spots that can't handle water.

Police were able to awaken the man, who failed field sobriety tests.

The chemicals in duster are harmful when inhaled, but inhalation - or huffing - offers a temporary high that can lead to death.

"This is typically something that we see younger people do," Rubino said.

The motorist faces one charge each of misdemeanor driving while under the influence and inhaling drugs. He was taken to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.