Police arrest woman with Parkinson's. (illegal, drugs, lawyer, speech)

[John1960]

The line was long as Arleen Avila pulled her 2002 silver Mercedes SUV into the drive-through lane of a Visalia fast-food restaurant.

Avila, 46, says she has suffered from Parkinson's disease for 11 years and takes several medications for the condition. While waiting for her lunch at In-N-Out Burgers on Mooney Boulevard, she dozed off.

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/app...WS01/705150312

[Dir Drill 1]

Originally Posted by John1960

The line was long as Arleen Avila pulled her 2002 silver Mercedes SUV into the drive-through lane of a Visalia fast-food restaurant.

Avila, 46, says she has suffered from Parkinson's disease for 11 years and takes several medications for the condition. While waiting for her lunch at In-N-Out Burgers on Mooney Boulevard, she dozed off.

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/app...WS01/705150312

Unfortunate situation for all involved... I doubt the Police had bad intentions (tough job) and if the woman is truly that sick and taking medicine which makes her sleepy or drowsy, she should not be endangering her life or the lives of others by driving... Delivery ????

[GuyPinestra]

She didn't fall asleep driving, she 'nodded off' while parked and waiting in a drive through. You've never dozed while sitting in a car WAITING for something or someone?? Never??

She drove to the window, got her food and was driving out when the police stopped her. That's a far step from being a 'danger'...

[Dir Drill 1]

Originally Posted by GuyPinestra

She didn't fall asleep driving, she 'nodded off' while parked and waiting in a drive through. You've never dozed while sitting in a car WAITING for something or someone?? Never??

She drove to the window, got her food and was driving out when the police stopped her. That's a far step from being a 'danger'...

I wasn't there, so it would be impossible to completely judge the situation... Why the mention of all the medications if it is not a factor ?? Her own lawyer (who has represented her before, a problem here ??) says :

Romaine said he has represented Avila in the past.

"Sometimes people afflicted with Parkinson's and similar diseases do not have the patience that most people have," he said, "and misunderstandings can occur quite easily."

Like I said before, unfortunate situation for all.. Do the police need better training ?? Maybe. In my opinion did they intentionally try to do harm to this woman, especially in front of all those patrons/passersby ?? Highly doubtful.. Can the officers involved read her mind, know her medical conditions, and come to the instant conclusion that "Oh", It's just Mrs. Avila, and she has a medical condition that makes her refuse to exit her vehicle and instead yell at us, so just let her go"... NO, I don't think so.

The police have to investigate when called, and sometimes it get's ugly for many different reasons, with no bad intentions on anyone's part... I am sure there will be an investigation, and corrections made if needed.. Maybe you are or were a police officer in the past, but if not, it is completely impossible for you to know the emotions involved with doing the job, and the fact that you will almost always be "wrong" when the armchair quarterbacks who have days, months, or years to think about you're actions that had to be taken in seconds, come into play...

[GypsyHeart]

The womand "dozed off" in line at a drive-thru! She had to be "rousted by other drivers"....according to the article.
When police arrived, her speech was slurred and she was unable to comply w/their requests. She is on several meds for Parkinsons. I can tell you, those meds are heavy duty.
The woman has no business driving. Unfortunate, but true.

[Dir Drill 1]

Originally Posted by GypsyHeart

The womand "dozed off" in line at a drive-thru! She had to be "rousted by other drivers"....according to the article.
When police arrived, her speech was slurred and she was unable to comply w/their requests. She is on several meds for Parkinsons. I can tell you, those meds are heavy duty.
The woman has no business driving. Unfortunate, but true.

Yep... Unfortunate, but a risk you unfortunately have to take when you are unable to think or act rationally due to disease or meds, and then go into public... I feel sorry for her and everyone else who cannot live a "normal" life due to illness, I hope it is something we never have to go through.

[GypsyHeart]

Well, there is little risk involved, unless you are operating heavy machinery or say, driving a motor vehicle. Being unable to think and/or act rationally is pretty obviously, a disqualifier for driving. On a personal note, my mother was in a car w/a woman w/a similar medical condition. The other woman was driving. Due to her condition, they were in a horrible accident. The woman was gravely injured, became an amputee, later died due to complications. Fortunately, my mother did not sustain life threatening injuries.
I feel very sorry for individuals afflicted w/conditions preventing them to be fully mobile, however, it really is for their own safety and for others, that I say....in certain cases these individuals should not be driving.

[Dir Drill 1]

Originally Posted by GypsyHeart

Well, there is little risk involved, unless you are operating heavy machinery or say, driving a motor vehicle. Being unable to think and/or act rationally is pretty obviously, a disqualifier for driving. On a personal note, my mother was in a car w/a woman w/a similar medical condition. The other woman was driving. Due to her condition, they were in a horrible accident. The woman was gravely injured, became an amputee, later died due to complications. Fortunately, my mother did not sustain life threatening injuries.
I feel very sorry for individuals afflicted w/conditions preventing them to be fully mobile, however, it really is for their own safety and for others, that I say....in certain cases these individuals should not be driving.

Well, actually the risk in my opinion is being in public period... If you are acting strangely, irrationally, etc., you are going to attract the attention of say "The Police", or maybe you will walk in front of a car or bus, or appear vulnerable to someone who takes advantage of that type of situation... Maybe after years of seeing people with disabilities/disease exploited as well as accidentally harmed, I feel being in public is a risk in itself...

[Lisa_from_Debary]

I have NEVER gotten in my car at a time when I was tired enough to NODD OFF...

I know my own limitations and if I am tired I am lucky to know my own name, never mind know how to drive a car safely.

I am sure the police thought she was drunk...I know I probably would have...or hopped up on pharmacueticals...

You don't have to be abusing illegal drugs or alcohol to be considered intoxicated while driving...she might every well have Parkinsons and be taking the medication perscribed by her doctor...thats why these meds say to not operate heavy machinery until you know how the medication will effect you.