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Police in Pierce County, Washington, are more than a little aggravated over repeat DUI encounters with a driver whose choices keep putting her and everyone around her at risk. And the expense of each bailout doesn’t seem to bother her, either.

The motorist is 46-year-old Kylene Ann Robertson. Deputies say the first run-in happened November 12 in a parking lot. They found her in a running car and inhaling nitrous oxide (aka “laughing gas”).

Three days later, on November 15, Fircrest Police responded after she crashed into a power box and knocked down a utility pole. Investigators reported the car was totaled and nitrous oxide canisters were inside.

Another encounter came November 20. Deputies say they found her slumped over in a running vehicle with nitrous cans throughout the cabin.

Bail for that last arrest landed at $100,000 dollars

Prosecutors told Fox 13 Seattle she posted it and left custody soon after.

Investigators also confirmed she was involved in a November 23 crash in Tacoma, though no criminal charges were filed in that case.

Washington classifies DUI as a misdemeanor unless someone is injured or the driver already has four prior DUI convictions

Deputies said the setup leaves them frustrated, especially with long toxicology wait times that allow suspected impaired drivers to return to the road quickly.

“We don’t have control over who bails out or how much time they spend in there. We don’t get to have a say on that. The laws are the laws, and that’s how it’s followed. We definitely get frustrated on our end,” explained Deputy Carly Cappetto.

Nitrous oxide makes driving especially dangerous

Research from Maastricht University found drivers show impaired coordination and slowed reactions immediately after inhaling it, with psychomotor issues lasting 30 to 60 minutes.

Another study published in PubMed, or the National Library of Medicine, found more steering errors even at short, recreational-level exposure.

Robertson was scheduled to return to court today, December 4. Deputies say they plan to keep documenting each incident as required.

If you or a loved one needs help with their addiction, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help. It offer a national hotline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy is the Editor-in-Chief of MotorBiscuit. She joined the team as Managing Editor in 2021 and has more than 20 years of automotive and operations expertise. She held ASE certifications as an Automotive Service Consultant and Parts Specialist and was a licensed car salesperson for many years. Sarah often focuses on helping drivers navigate used car buying and vehicle ownership. She created “Shop Smarts,” a column for MOTOR Magazine, and was a contributor there for eight years. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015. She attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.

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