Drugs and driving lead to arrest
DEERFIELD — A New Hampshire woman faces drugged-driving charges after police say her erratic driving led to her arrest on Interstate 91 southbound Saturday.
Trooper Nick Pellegrino of the Shelburne barracks said a 911 caller reported an extremely erratic driver. Pellegrino said Trooper Sean McNamara found the vehicle swerving between lanes and stopped Jodi Merchant, 31, of Winchester, at 10:55 a.m. near the weight station.
Merchant was lethargic, slurring her words, offered her wallet and then credit cards when asked for her license and was unsteady on her feet once she stepped out, Pellegrino said.
Merchant was arrested and taken to the Northampton barracks, where a drug recognition expert determined she was under the influence, Pellegrino said, and a syringe and glass pipe with residue believed to be crack cocaine and three wax paper baggies containing trace amounts of a substance believed to be heroin turned up during the inventory of her possessions.
Merchant is charged with operating under the influence of drugs, possession of Class A and B drugs, negligent operation, marked lanes violation and other traffic infractions.
Merchant had one passenger, who was not arrested, according to police.
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