Valley Independent Sentinel

Schwab’s DUI Case Is Over

by Mike Russo | Mar 9, 2010 12:57 pm

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Posted to: Ansonia, Oxford

The driving under the influence case against Jerry Schwab, a former member of the Oxford Board of Education, ended Tuesday morning after Schwab agreed to take 15 alcohol-awareness classes and attend a victim’s impact panel organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Schwab was charged with driving under the influence after a traffic stop in Ansonia in July.

Schwab is the director of the Oxford Ambulance Association and is president of the board of directors of Valley Emergency Medical Services.

During a brief appearance in Superior Court in Derby Tuesday morning, Schwab was granted entrance into a pre-trial diversionary program.

Assuming he completes the courses by March 2011, the arrest will not become part of his record.

Schwab must also pay $500 for the classes.

Schwab initially told the Valley Independent Sentinel that his arrest was the result of low blood sugar.

However, Schwab said Tuesday urine tests revealed the presence of Ambien, a sleeping pill. His attorney, Dominick Thomas, attributed Schwab’s behavior the night of his arrest to the drug. Schwab was, essentially, driving while asleep, Thomas said.

“Sleepwalking is a known side effect of Ambien, and he (Schwab) was having a reaction to the medication,” Thomas said.

Schwab said he has little memory of the night. Thomas noted he was arrested while dressed in pajamas. Statements Schwab gave to police the night of his arrest were inaccurate, Thomas said.

Thomas provided the court with two written statements from people with Schwab contradicting statements Schwab gave police the night of his arrest.

For example, Schwab, according to a police report, said he had dinner that night — along with some wine and prescription meds.

“We know none of the information in the report is correct,” Thomas said. “He (Schwab) did not go out to dinner, he was at home.”

Breath tests given to Schwab the night of his arrest came back negative for alcohol.

Thomas said Schwab was placed in the alcohol program because it is warranted by the court.

“Ambien is a prescription drug and it was in his system,” he said. “We are not going to dispute that.”

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