Dracut Woman Pleads Guilty In "Huffing" Crash

LOWELL (AP) — A Dracut woman police said was deliberately inhaling compressed air while driving has pleaded guilty in a car crash that seriously injured three pedestrians.

Prosecutors said 18-year-old Catherine Gaudette pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lowell District Court to charges including aggravated assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and impeded operation. She was sentenced to two years in prison, along with two more years on an unrelated drug charge. She will serve three years' probation afterward and lose her driver's license for five years.

Police said Gaudette lost consciousness behind the wheel last October while "huffing" a can of computer keyboard cleaner to get a cheap high. They said she struck a woman crossing a Lowell street, then traveled another 50 feet and hit two more people.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.