A Massachusetts mother is facing drugged driving charges after she allegedly crashed into a tree in Boxford on Monday, injuring her two young children.
Kimberly Desrochers, 36, of Haverhill, is charged with operating under the influence of drugs and serious injury; operating under the influence of drugs, second offense; assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injury; two counts of permit serious injury to a child; two counts of operating under the influence child endangerment; a marked lanes violation and failure to wear a seatbelt.
According to the police report, officers found a hypodermic needle, a glass pipe for smoking drugs, a corner of a baggie containing white powder and two prescription bottles inside her car.
The documents also state that she told a paramedic on the scene that she had used heroin, Klonopin and Suboxone before the crash.
Desrochers, her 2-year-old daughter and her 7-year-old son were all injured in Monday's accident. The 7-year-old was taken by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he remains with a serious head injury.
The crash occurred around 10:45 a.m. Monday on Route 97 in Boxford. Police said Desrochers, who was driving a 2007 Honda, never hit the brakes.
"Straight into a tree," Boxford Police Chief James Riter said. "No skid marks, no sign the operator attempted to do anything to correct going off the roadway."
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Riter was first on the scene and administered aid to the victims.
Bob Cosgrove, who lives just yards away from the scene, said his family members heard the crash, looked outside and saw the driver.
"My kids saw her get out of the car and saw she was very disoriented," said Cosgrove.
Desrochers was ordered held without bail following her arraignment Tuesday in Newburyport District Court. She is scheduled to return to court on July 2.
