BELLEVUE, Wash. — A King County deputy who was arrested after he was found sleeping or passed out in his patrol car in Newcastle had multiple prescription drugs in his system, lab results showed.
The officer was found the in the parking lot of a Starbuck’s about 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
According to King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Cindi West, a person called 911 to report that a deputy was hunched over the steering wheel of his parked, fully-marked patrol vehicle.
Authorities arrived and woke up the 46-year-old deputy. They said they saw signs of impairment, and it was believed the deputy was under the influence of some sort of drug.
The deputy was arrested and his blood was drawn. He was booked into the King County Jail on charges of physical control of a motor vehicle, which is the legal equivalent of driving under the influence when no driving is observed.
Sheriff John Urquhart asked the Bellevue Police Department to handle the investigation. On Wednesday, Bellevue police said the investigation was complete.
Police said the three-month investigation was conducted by a certified drug recognition expert and showed the deputy was impaired by prescription medications.
An analysis of the deputy’s blood showed the presence of multiple prescription drugs. All have impairing qualities and contain warnings about operating machinery or vehicles, according to Bellevue police.
The case was submitted for review to prosecutors and charging decisions are up to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
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