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Driver arrested for marijuana possession after school bus crash

Staff photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Michelle Sutton was driving a 2006 Toyota two-door at a "high rate of speed" before crashing into the bus, officials say.

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By TONY HOLT | Hernando Today

Published: October 14, 2009

Updated: 10/14/2009 04:34 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Marijuana was found on the driver of a car that crashed into a school bus Tuesday afternoon, deputies said.

Michelle R. Sutton, 33, was taken to Oak Hill Hospital for injuries sustained during a crash along Cortez Boulevard near Bayport. It was while at the hospital she was caught with the drugs, authorities said.

Sutton's passenger, Brian Snyder, 30, of Spring Hill, was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg in serious condition, troopers said.

Sutton was driving a 2006 Toyota two-door at a "high rate of speed" shortly before 4 p.m. and was weaving back and forth along both lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A school bus was traveling west along Cortez and the driver swerved onto the north shoulder to avoid contact with the Toyota, but Sutton crossed onto the westbound lane and struck the left side of the bus, troopers said.

The bus was pushed off the road by the impact, according to an accident report.

Sutton, of 5123 Higate Road in Spring Hill, was taken to the nearby hospital in serious condition, troopers said.

A nurse at Oak Hill discovered a bag of what appeared to be marijuana tucked in the patient's shorts, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

A field test confirmed the green, leafy substance was marijuana, deputies said.

Sutton admitted she knew she had marijuana on her, but told authorities she was wearing her boyfriend's shorts, according to an arrest report.

She was charged with marijuana possession.

Roughly 30 students from Westside Elementary were on the bus when the accident occurred, authorities said.

Some of them were treated for injuries, according to the accident report.

Sutton will be charged with reckless driving and driving with a suspended license, troopers said.

Further charges are reliant on the results of a toxicology report, according to FHP.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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