Fairhaven Police are criminally charging a woman after she was found driving under the influence of heroin.

Fairhaven Police received a report Tuesday morning of a car driving erratically near Howland Road, striking the curb numerous times. Police soon found the car on Coggeshall Street near Market Basket in New Bedford. The female driver was found with her left foot hanging out of the window.

The 34-year-old female driver admitted to using suboxone and said she was in the process of injecting heroin while she was driving. Sgt. Kevin Kobza says a search of the vehicle confirmed drug use. "Our officer did locate a loaded syringe which had a reddish-colored liquid inside it which we believe was heroin. And we believe that that was what she was trying to inject herself with while she was driving her car," said Kobza.

The Fairhaven Woman was transported to St. Luke's Hospital and will be charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

A passenger in the car, 42-year-old Michael Tierney of New Bedford was arrested and arraigned on outstanding warrants.

Sgt. Kobza says overdoses behind the wheel are becoming a more frequent problem, and warned drug users of the dangers. "If they are caught doing that behind the wheel, they will be charged accordingly."

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