US police probe Kennedy crash

US CONGRESSMAN Patrick Kennedy was cited for three traffic violations after he crashed his car near the Capitol, blaming sleep medication and an anti-nausea drug.

The police report said Kennedy drove his green 1997 Ford Mustang convertible into a security barrier near the Capitol shortly before 3am on Thursday, and Kennedy had red, watery eyes, slurred speech and unsteady balance.

Kennedy said in a statement he had taken a sleeping pill and another drug that can cause drowsiness, but had not been drinking alcohol.

Kennedy, 38, told the police officer he was “headed to the Capitol to make a vote”, the report said. He was charged with failure to keep in lane, travelling at “unreasonable speed” and failing to “give full time and attention” to operating his vehicle.

Capitol Police had no comment beyond saying police are “continuing to investigate”. Kennedy — the son of Senator Edward Kennedy and nephew of former US President John F Kennedy — was first elected to Congress in 1994.

Kennedy said he was disoriented from the drugs when he got up a little before 3am on Thursday and drove to the Capitol.

A letter from a Capitol police officer said Kennedy appeared to stagger when he left the vehicle.

Kennedy previously spent time on drug rehabilitation. He has been open about mental health issues, including his bipolar disorder.