Officials say marijuana use & distracted driving led to Redding crash – Woman arrested

REDDING, Calif. — Authorities say a woman driving under the influence of marijuana while talking on her cell phone caused a collision that led to her arrest early Saturday evening, April 25.

The crash happened at the intersection of Churn Creek and Harpole roads, according to officials.

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Redding police officers, community service officers, and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene around 6 p.m., after receiving reports of a two-vehicle collision with the occupants possibly injured, Redding Police Corporal W. Williams later reported.

When officials arrival they learned all of those involved in the collision had been wearing their seat belts and determined none of the vehicle occupants were injured, according to Williams.

Officers say Aspen Link was smoking marijuana and talking on her cell phone when she slammed into the back of another vehicle in Redding last night. RPD photo

While investigating the cause of the crash, officers learned the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, Aspen Link, 21, of Hayfork, had been traveling southbound on Churn Creek Rd. just before plowing into the back of a 1964 Chevrolet.

Link admitted to officers that she had been using her cell phone, wasn’t paying enough attention, and didn’t realize the Chevy in front of her had slowed in preparation for an eastbound turn onto Harpole Rd.

“While talking to Ms. Link, Officers noticed a heavy odor of burnt marijuana coming from her person and had her perform a series of field sobriety tests,” explained Williams. “Her performance led officers to believe she was (under the influence of) marijuana.”

During a subsequent search of Link’s car, officers located more than three pounds of marijuana, approximately 50 pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes, and cash consistent with the sales of marijuana, according to Williams; who said all the items were seized.

Based on their observations, Link’s failed sobriety tests, and the seized marijuana, officers arrested her.

After her arrest, Link was evaluated at a local hospital initially before she was booked into Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of driving on a suspended license, DUI drugs, and Possession of marijuana for sales.

“DUI marijuana is just as dangerous as DUI alcohol,” Williams explained after Link’s arrest. “Add the use of a cellular phone in the hands of an impaired driver, and terrible things are sure to happen.”

“Please stop using your cellular phones while driving,” Williams continued. “And, obviously, don’t drink or use drugs and drive.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 20R026432 and can remain anonymous.

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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.