Ex-EMS service owner faces DUI charge

The former owner of a Whitley County ambulance service has been charged with driving while under the influence and drug possession following a traffic stop Saturday morning in Williamsburg.
Williamsburg Police Detective Wayne Bird charged Larry R. Robbins, 52, of 19 Westwood Lane, with first-offense operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, first and second-degree possession of a controlled substance, and with having a prescription not in its original container.
Bird noted on the arrest citation that he received a call concerning a yellow Hummer near the 20-mile marker on the interstate that was weaving from side to side on the road, and that he saw the vehicle turn west on Ky. 92 off of Exit 11.
The vehicle was driving in the middle of the roadway, and when it was stopped, Bird observed the driver having slurred speech, and difficulty standing, the citation stated.
Because of safety concerns, Bird noted that he was unable to give Robbins a field sobriety test, and that he found plastic wrap in Robbins’ front pocket that allegedly had six 80-milligram and 17 40-milligram Oxycontin pills.
Robbins didn’t have a prescription for the 80-milligram pills, and six pink pills were also found on him that Robbins said he had taken, but were not prescribed to him, the citation stated. Robbins told police he had a prescription for the 40-milligram Oxycontin pills.
Test on a urine sample Robbins gave police are still pending, the citation noted.
Robbins was arrested about 10:09 a.m. Saturday, and was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.
Robbins pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Monday in District Court.
Judge Dan Ballou scheduled a May 1 preliminary hearing in the case.
According to court records, the preliminary hearing was delayed until May so Robbins could enroll in a drug rehabilitation program.
Robbins owned and operated Mountain Lifeline Ambulance Service in Whitley County from its opening in October 2004 through its closing in February 2001.