Sleep Aid Found in Kerry Kennedy's Blood

She said a week ago that her doctors though a seizure caused the accident

A sleeping aid was found in Kerry Kennedy's blood after her recent auto accident on a highway in Westchester County, N.Y., according to court papers filed in her case.

The document shows that zolpidem, which is sold under the brand name Ambien, among others, was found in her blood. No alcohol was found in her urine, the document shows.

A spokeswoman for attorney John J. Pappalardo says his office is now representing Kerry Kennedy, and they have no comment as of now on the drug test results filed with the court.   

The ex-wife of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said a week ago that her doctors thought a seizure caused the July 11 accident. She said their tests found no alcohol, recreational drugs or prescription medication in her system.

She acknowledged, however, that she told a police officer she might have taken an Ambien by accident instead of her thyroid medication.

Dr. Donald Hoffman, a forensic toxicologist associated with John Jay College, said the amount of zolpidem in Kennedy's blood -- 14 nanograms per milliliter -- would represent a small amount left in the system of a person who earlier took a 5 mg tablet of Ambien. Kennedy's blood was tested more than three hours after the crash.

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