A Controlled Substance was Discovered and a Drug Recognition Expert Dispatched

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports the arrest of Jennifer Wheeler, 42, of Wales, following a crash investigation.

Just after 1 P.M. on May 13, Deputy Barbaritz and Sergeant Bouton responded to reports of erratic operation and a subsequent crash on Bullis Road in the Town of Marilla.  An investigation discovered that Wheeler’s Driver’s license had been suspended, and she was placed into custody and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Following an interview and further investigation of the incident, signs of impairment were observed, and a controlled substance was discovered; a Drug Recognition Expert was dispatched for an evaluation. 

The evaluation determined that the operator was impaired by drugs and a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle impaired by drugs was added.  The defendant is also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance not in the original container, and two separate vehicle and traffic law violations.

Wheeler was processed at the Elma Substation and later released with appearance tickets.