A Maryland judge has rejected Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger's motion to block bodycam footage and police statements from her March DUI arrest as evidence. The decision came after Huger crashed her 2017 Maserati into a median, street sign, and tree in Montgomery County on March 19, 2024.
The 61-year-old Real Housewives of Potomac star now faces multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, negligent driving, and endangering property and lives.
The ruling ensures prosecutors can use all statements made by Huger prior to her formal arrest, along with bodycam footage, during upcoming legal proceedings. She faces six additional charges beyond the initial DUI counts.
Maryland court denies Real Housewives star Karen Huger's motion in drunk driving case
The Maryland court's decision followed an extensive review of evidence from both the prosecution and defense. The judge confirmed that statements of Real Housewives of Potomac’s Karen Huger were made voluntarily and openly in front of police officers. The ruling emphasized that the questioning occurred on public roads with emergency personnel nearby.
Court documents reveal that officers maintained professional distance throughout the interaction without using force or drawing weapons. Prosecutors successfully argued against Huger's claims of illegal interrogation. They presented evidence showing that many of her statements occurred during medical evaluation by Emergency Medical Services personnel.
The judge noted that her husband arrived shortly after the police and stayed with her until the arrest, providing additional witness presence during questioning.
Huger's defense arguments
The Real Housewives of Potomac star's legal team presented several key arguments in their motion to suppress evidence. They stated that after receiving medical attention at the ambulance, an officer grabbed her arm and informed her she could not leave. The defense claimed this physical contact and restriction constituted custody.
The defense motion highlighted specific interactions between Huger and law enforcement. According to their filing, officers began asking questions about her location before the crash, her destination, and the accident details without proper legal warnings. Huger's attorneys argued these questions formed an illegal interrogation, making her statements inadmissible.
The defense pushed for complete case dismissal based on these alleged procedural violations. However, the judge determined the roadside questioning did not qualify as custodial interrogation. The ruling stated that the public setting, medical personnel's presence, and the questioning's brief nature kept the interaction within legal bounds.
The bodycam footage reviewed during the hearing showed the entire sequence of events. According to the judge's findings, officers asked her questions separately and repeatedly about the incident.
The court noted that while Huger provided limited responses, her husband was present for support throughout most of the interaction. This presence of family support factored into the judge's decision about the voluntary nature of her statements.
Police response and observations
Officers Kyle Baxter and Sergeant Brett Trahan documented multiple signs that led to their DUI suspicion. The police report detailed observations of unsteady movements and difficulties with balance.
A witness at the scene spoke directly with officers, describing interactions with the Real Housewives of Potomac star before police arrived. The witness statement supported police observations regarding Huger's apparent confusion.
Emergency Medical Services conducted an on-site evaluation to check for potential injuries from the crash. Medical professionals offered further treatment options, which Huger declined. Her husband, Raymond Huger, reached the scene while emergency responders were still present.
Court documents show that one officer maintained contact with Huger after her medical evaluation, ensuring she remained at the scene during the investigation.
Legal charges filed
The Montgomery County prosecutors charged the Real Housewives of Potomac Season 9 star with multiple violations following the March incident. The primary charges include driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence.
Additional charges address her vehicle operation, with prosecutors citing negligent driving in a careless and imprudent manner. The prosecution also included counts of endangering property, life, and persons based on the crash circumstances.
Law enforcement cited concerns about public safety in their charging documents. The case's details highlight the sequence of collisions, starting with the median impact, followed by the street sign contact, and ending with the tree collision. Court records confirm Huger must make a mandatory appearance to address these charges.
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Currently, Karen Huger is part of Real Housewives of Potomac Season 9.
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