Police: Woman Who Crashed Into I-94 Wall Inhaled Nitrous Oxide While Driving

CLINTON TOWNSHIP (WWJ) -  A 36-year-old Farmington woman could face charges after she was caught allegedly driving "under the influence"of nitrous oxide — commonly known as laughing gas.

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw says investigators found 32 propellant cartridges of nitrous oxide on the floorboard of the woman's 2011 Land Rover after she crashed into a wall on westbound I-94 at Harper Street in Clinton Township Monday night.

Further investigation revealed indicated that the woman had been inhaling the gas while she was driving, Shaw said.

"I think a lot of people always equate, you know, operating under the influence to be alcohol. This was my first experience with actually nitrous oxide," Shaw said. "But to actually drive a quarter-mile down the freeway, rubbing up against the median wall — that's definitely an indicator of being under the influence of something."

Shaw said numerous Xanax and Oxycodone pills were discovered in the woman's purse and she was found to have been driving with a suspended license.

Police are awaiting results of blood tests before contacting the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office seeking charges.

The woman was injured in the crash, but no other vehicles were involved. She remained hospitalized Tuesday.

Her name has not been released.