RHOP’s Karen Huger Fails to Block Bodycam Evidence in DUI Case.
A judge has denied Karen Huger, a star from Real Housewives of Potomac, the request to prevent her statements to police and bodycam footage from her DUI arrest from being used as evidence.
Court documents reveal that a Maryland judge rejected Karen's motion to suppress specific evidence. In March, the 61-year-old was involved in a car accident while driving her 2017 Maserati. She was alone in the vehicle when it hit a median and a street sign before crashing into a tree.
Authorities arrested Karen, suspecting she was under the influence at the time of the incident. She faces charges for driving under the influence, negligent driving, endangering property and lives, among other offenses. As previously reported by Lawyer Monthly, Karen stated that after the accident, she spoke with Officer Kyle Baxter and Sergeant Brett Trahan. She mentioned that medical professionals evaluated her but she declined further treatment.
Her husband, Raymond Huger, arrived at the scene, and Karen alleged that one of the officers grabbed her arm after she was done at the ambulance, telling her she was not free to leave. She claimed the officers began to question her without reading her Miranda Rights, arguing that her statements were obtained through an illegal interrogation and should be excluded from the case. Karen requested that the evidence, including the bodycam footage of her interactions with the police, be barred from court and sought the dismissal of the entire case.
Prosecutors dismissed her requests, stating that officers observed her being unsteady, swaying, stumbling, and slurring her speech. Additionally, the initial caller informed the officers that Karen appeared confused and smelled of alcohol before they arrived.
They went on to explain, “Karen’s comments were not made during a custodial interrogation since some of her remarks occurred while Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were attending to the defendant for possible injuries. The statements Karen made during this period were voluntary and expressed openly in front of police officers.” At the recent hearing, the judge supported the prosecutors after examining the bodycam footage.
He remarked, “The two officers repeatedly and separately asked Karen to recount what had happened. They inquired about her whereabouts, where she was coming from, and how the accident occurred. Karen was not very forthcoming with her responses. Her husband arrived shortly after the police and stayed by her side until her arrest.”
The judge further stated, “All questioning took place on the road or nearby, in public view with emergency personnel and their vehicle close by. The police did not use force, restrict Karen’s movements, or draw their weapons. The questioning was brief, and Karen chose not to cooperate, which is her right.” He added, “After assessing the situation and gathering only fragmented information from Karen and her husband, the police decided to arrest her and remove her from the scene.” The judge concluded that “Karen was not in custody for Miranda purposes, and therefore, all statements made by Karen prior to the police formally declaring her under arrest are admissible in court.” Karen issued a statement following the accident.
She expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you all for your prayers and kind thoughts during this incredibly scary time. I'm still processing the shock from last night’s event, but I feel so thankful to be here today. Since losing my beloved mother, grief has been a rollercoaster, and with Mother’s Day around the corner, it feels more overwhelming than ever."
The RHOP star experienced the loss of both her parents in 2017. She went on to share, "I had dinner with a friend last night, and we touched on some really emotional subjects.
I found myself in tears on the way home when suddenly a car was coming straight at me. I swerved to avoid a collision, hit the divider, and then crashed into a tree. I’m a bit banged up, but I’m just so thankful to be alive! I did get some citations, one of which wasn’t related to the crash, which makes sense, but what shocked me the most was that the car that nearly hit me just kept going!"
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She concluded, "I want to emphasize how crucial it is to be aware of your emotional state while driving. Let this serve as a reminder to everyone to buckle up; my mother may be watching over me as my Guardian Angel, but it was the seatbelt that truly saved my life."
Karen Huger’s ongoing legal case underscores the delicate balance between individual rights and law enforcement procedures. The court’s decision to admit her statements and bodycam footage highlights the importance of understanding custodial interrogation and Miranda Rights. While Karen faces serious charges, her public statements emphasize personal accountability and the importance of emotional awareness while driving.
This case serves as a reminder of the role evidence plays in the pursuit of justice and the challenges public figures face in such situations. As proceedings unfold, it remains a poignant example of how the law addresses high-profile incidents involving alleged DUI offenses.
