Driver Found Slumped Over Wheel In Middle Of Road: Reading Police

READING, MA — A woman is facing an OUI charge after police say they found her asleep at the wheel with her car in the middle of the road.

Police responded to Haverhill Street on a report of a car stopped in the road Feb. 14.

Police found a Honda Accord in the middle of the southbound lane. The car was running and its lights were on.

Police said they found a woman slumped over the wheel in the driver's seat. After police unsuccessfully attempted to wake her up, they opened the car "out of a fear of a medical emergency," according to a police statement.

Officers woke the driver, a Woburn woman. Police said they found several bottles of prescription medication in the center console and driver's side door compartment.

Police said the driver was "acting disoriented, lethargic and confused," and members of the fire department were brought in to perform an evaluation.

The woman was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of drugs and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. She was released and scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.