Karen Huger has been found guilty on nearly all counts after being charged with a DUI in Maryland in March.
“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case,” the Real Housewives of Potomac star’s attorney, A. Scott Bolden, tells PEOPLE exclusively in a statement.
Bolden, a partner at Reed Smith law firm adds, “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”
After the March 19 incident, Huger, 61, was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty
Other charges include failure to control vehicle speed on the highway to avoid a collision, driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on the highway, driving a vehicle on the highway with suspended registration, and failure to notify administration of change of address within 30 days.
She was found guilty on all charges except reckless driving, her rep tells PEOPLE. The reality star is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29.
A spokesperson for the Montgomery County Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on March 20 that Huger had been involved in a single-vehicle collision in Potomac. Law enforcement said the television personality crossed a median and struck multiple street signs but was not injured at the time of the crash.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Authorities also reportedly told TMZ — who was first to report the news — that Huger was allegedly driving in an “aggressive manner” and very fast before the collision.
At the time of the incident, she was not arrested, however, she received several citations.
During Huger’s first day in court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, witnesses described what they noticed, with one man stating that Huger’s car allegedly smelled like alcohol, per Fox 5 DC. A volunteer EMT who responded to the scene said Huger did not want treatment and “swayed” when trying to step into the ambulance. Inside the vehicle, the EMT said Huger allegedly told them to “f— off” and “go f— yourselves” several times.
getty
Minutes later she complimented a female firefighter, telling her, “You’re so beautiful,” the EMT said.
The jury also saw bodycam footage on Tuesday, where one officer was seen telling Huger she was “hammered,” a claim she called “bulls—” in the footage.
Huger broke her silence on the incident in a statement to TMZ on March 20. The reality star, whose parents died within seven months of each other in 2017, said she was experiencing a moment of grief the evening of the crash.
“With the passing of my Beloved Mother, Grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mother’s Day approaching it has felt more like a tsunami,” she said. “Last night I met a girlfriend for dinner, we talked and brought up some very emotionally sensitive topics. I was crying on my way home and saw a car heading right for me.”
She continued, “I swerved to avoid the head-on collision, hit the divider, and then a tree. I’m hurt, bruised up a bit, but so grateful I am alive! I did receive citations, one of which was unrelated to the incident which is understandable, but what was most surprising is that the car that almost hit me just drove away!”
Huger concluded by reminding fans to “understate your emotional state” before getting behind the wheel, crediting her mother, whom she called her “Guardian Angel,” and her seatbelt for saving her life.
Huger’s arrest is a central storyline in season 9 of The Real Housewives of Potomac, which airs Sundays on Bravo at 8 p.m. ET.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Read the full article here
