She remembers the mangled metal, the mugshots, and what she considers to be a messy police investigation.
The officer had Conlon take the breathalyzer test multiple times because of technical issues, according to Lee. However, when the officer retrieved two printed results, Lee claims the officer tossed the result showing Conlon was below the legal limit. He kept only the result that indicated she violated the law.
“He technically threw out evidence,” recalled Keller.
“It was evidence that actually showed she was innocent,” Lee said.
Lee took that allegation to a meeting between the officer and the prosecutors from the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office.
“I think everyone shares that sense of urgency,” Cohen said.
Cohen told WCNC Charlotte her goal initially was to quickly get COVID-19 vaccines to all 100 counties in the state. However, she says there’s been a wide variety in how health departments and hospitals have responded.
“Some partners are fantastic and got that vaccine into arms really quickly and others need more support and didn t do it as quickly,” Cohen said.
According to CDC data, the Carolinas are in the bottom 10 for vaccination rates in the country. South Carolina ranks 43rd in the country, and North Carolina ranks 44th.
The Tarheel State has a higher distribution rate than the Palmetto State, but a lower rate of administering the vaccine.