A bus driver, Jinhuan Chen, who unknowingly consumed gummies laced with a high level of THC and passed out on the highway, has been granted probation. Chen, a 10-year veteran driver of Boston-based bus company Go Go Sun Tours, told a state judge in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that he did not know the candies were laced with the substance because he cannot speak or read English. Chen’s attorney, Daniel Esposito, emphasized that no harm was caused by the incident and expressed Chen’s gratitude for this outcome.
The incident occurred on March 13 when Chen pulled his bus over on the side of Interstate 95 in Stratford and passed out in the driver’s seat with 38 passengers on board. Chen claimed that he mistakenly ingested THC-infused gummies, thinking they were regular candies. When the police arrived, they discovered Chen in possession of a bag of Smokies Edibles Cannabis Infused Fruit Chews.
Fortunately, Chen’s quick thinking in pulling over and calling 911 prevented any potential disasters. Judge Elizabeth Reid acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but commended Chen for his immediate actions, stating that this incident could have had devastating consequences. As a result, Chen has been ordered to complete a two-year probation period, after which all 38 counts of reckless endangerment will be removed from his record.
Manager of Go Go Sun Tour, Victor Chen, vouched for Jinhuan Chen’s character, stating that he has never been known to abuse substances and only has a fondness for sweets. Victor Chen emphasized that incidents like this were uncommon in the past but have become more prevalent due to the widespread availability of marijuana.
In conclusion, Jinhuan Chen’s unintentional ingestion of THC-infused gummies while driving highlights the potential risks of consuming substances without proper knowledge. While he has been granted probation, it serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the substances one consumes, especially when responsible for the safety of others.
