Imagine the shock and disbelief of witnessing a medical professional, entrusted with the well-being of others, arriving at work intoxicated. This scenario unfolded in Michigan City, Indiana, where a nurse allegedly drove to her 12-hour shift under the influence, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles and raising serious concerns about her judgment and the safety of her patients.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and dangerous nature of drunk driving, a problem that transcends professions and demographics.
A Series of Red Flags
The incident began with the nurse, later identified as 52-year-old Candace van wardenburg, driving erratically on her way to work at Franciscan Health Hospital. An off-duty firefighter witnessed her vehicle striking a curb and potentially colliding with a parked truck.
Concerned by her reckless driving, the witness followed Candace into the hospital parking lot, where her erratic behavior continued. She hit another parked car, struggled to park, and ultimately needed assistance getting out of her vehicle.
The Initial Encounter and a Web of Lies
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Candace already inside the hospital, seated in a wheelchair. While she initially claimed to be experiencing dizziness, her behavior and the accounts of witnesses painted a different picture.
Candace’s attempts to explain away her erratic driving as dizziness quickly unraveled under questioning by the responding officers.
Unmasking the Truth: A Blood Alcohol Content Five Times the Legal Limit
Despite her initial claims of dizziness, Candace eventually confessed to consuming alcohol that morning to help her fall back asleep after waking up at 3:00 a.m. Her blood alcohol content (BAC) was later revealed to be a staggering .416, more than five times the legal limit for driving.
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This shocking revelation underscored the severity of the situation and the potential consequences of Candace’s actions. Had she not been stopped, her intoxicated state could have easily resulted in a tragic accident.
Facing the Repercussions: Legal Charges and Career Uncertainty
Candace’s actions led to her arrest on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that drunk driving is never acceptable and can have devastating consequences. It’s crucial to prioritize safety and make responsible choices, especially when it comes to getting behind the wheel.
