Portsmouth Accident Survivor Cited for Driving Violations

PORTSMOUTH, RI — Police investigators went to Rhode Island Hospital last weekend to discuss the cause of a head-on crash that sent a Portsmouth man to the hospital.

Mark Foust was seriously injured in the crash. The Portsmouth Fire Department needed about 25 minutes to extricate him from the vehicle. He was pinned up against the steering wheel, police said.

According to the police, the other driver said Foust's car crossed over the median line and struck his vehicle. He speculated that Foust might have lost consciousness because he apparently did not try to apply the brakes.

The other driver suffered a minor injury.

Foust told police he did not remember what happened.

A relative said he might have fallen asleep. Foust and his wife just brought a new baby home from the hospital, and he was up nights caring for the infant.

A search of his car turned up a small bag of marijuana on the center console, but Foust was not impaired at the time of the accident, rescue workers indicated.

He was cited for failure to maintain control of his car; right half of the road; and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less. Police gave him a court date in January but acknowledged he may not be able to appear, due to pending surgery.