‘Real Housewives’ star Karen Huger charged with DUI crash in Maryland

A “Real Housewives of Potomac” star is in court this week after an alleged drunken driving incident in March resulted in a car wreck.

Karen Huger, 61, faces a total of eight charges, including operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Just before midnight on March 19, 2024, authorities said Huger crashed his car near Oaklyn Drive in Potomac.

A man who witnessed the wreck testified in court on Tuesday that the car smelled of alcohol. Other witnesses who testified in court Tuesday included a volunteer EMT who responded that night, along with two police officers.

The EMT told the jury that Huger refused treatment at the scene and “swayed” as she tried to get into the ambulance.

Once inside the ambulance, she testified that Huger used profanity at first responders.

The EMT testified that Huger told them to “fk off” and “go f–k yourselves” on more than one occasion. However, she would also compliment a female firefighter a few minutes later.

“You’re so beautiful and you’re so beautiful,” the EMT told the jury, referring to Huger’s alleged statements.

In court Tuesday, body camera footage was also shown to the jury.

The body camera was worn by an officer who arrested Huger. He is heard on camera telling her she was “hammered” when she appeared to slur her speech in the cruiser.

“This is bull-t,” Huger is heard saying. “I hate you, you know that?”

Kush Arora, a defense attorney not associated with this case, said it is not unheard of for DUI cases to go to trial. However, Arora said it is somewhat unusual that Huger’s lawyers would not try the case in District Court first, given how appellate law works in Maryland.

“For example, if a DUI case is in District Court, usually the appropriate thing to do is to have your trial in District Court. Try to win there, or at least try to win on some of the charges,” Arora said.

If the outcome is not favorable to the accused, Arora said the charges could be taken to the circuit level.

According to reports, Huger refused a breathalyzer and field sobriety test. Arora said in a case like this, body camera video could be critical.

“Over the last several years it’s been available to us, it’s been a game changer in terms of DUI cases because it really gives us an opportunity to put eyes on the situation, a situation that often doesn’t make it to court for months, maybe people’s memories are fading, information is not as clear,” he said. “The body camera footage really helps clear it up and I think a finder … whether it’s a judge or a jury … will rely heavily on that information when making a decision about the evidence in the case.”

According to a motion filed in July, Huger’s attorneys sought to have the case dismissed by arguing that the evidence gathered was the result of an illegal search and seizure. In response, prosecutors filed a motion that some of the statements made by Huger were made while doctors were trying to treat her and not while in custody.

The state rested its case on Wednesday along with the defense. Huger’s team presented two witnesses, including her cousin, who testified that he was on the phone with her when the car crashed.

He testified that Huger was upset about personal matters, but her speech did not seem slurred or abnormal.

The jury was discharged around 3.30pm on Wednesday and has not returned with a verdict as of this writing.

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