A “Real Housewives of Potomac” star is headed to court this week after an alleged drunken driving incident led to a car crash in March.

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.

On March 19, 2024, just before midnight, Huger crashed her car near Oaklyn Drive in Potomac, according to authorities.

A man who witnessed the accident testified in court Tuesday that the car smelled of alcohol. Other witnesses who testified in court Tuesday included a volunteer paramedic who responded that night and two police officers.

The paramedic told jurors that Huger refused treatment at the scene and “staggered” as she tried to get into the ambulance.

While she was in the ambulance, she testified that Huger used profanity toward first responders.

The paramedic testified that Huger told them to “fuck off” and “fuck off” on more than one occasion. However, a few minutes later she also complimented a firefighter.

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

Body camera footage was also shown to jurors in court Tuesday.

The body camera was worn by an officer who arrested Huger. He can be heard saying on camera that she was “hammered” when she appeared to slur her speech in the patrol car.

“This is bullshit,” Huger can be heard saying. “I hate you, you know that?”

Kush Arora, a defense attorney who is not involved in this case, said it is not uncommon for DUI cases to end up in court. However, Arora said it was somewhat unusual that Huger’s lawyers would not try the case first in district court, given how Maryland’s appellate laws work.

“For example, if a DUI case is pending in district court, it is usually appropriate to have the trial heard in district court. Try to win there, or at least try to win on some counts,” Arora said.

If the outcome is unfavorable to the accused, Arora said the charges could be elevated to the district court level.

Huger reportedly refused a breathalyzer test and a field sobriety test. Arora said in a case like this, body camera videos could be crucial.

“It’s been available to us over the last few years, it’s been a game-changer when it comes to DUI cases because it really gives us an opportunity to take a look at the situation, a situation that often doesn’t make it to court until months later “Maybe people’s memories are fading, the information is no longer so clear,” he said. “The body camera footage really helps clear that up, and I think a finder…whether a judge or a jury…will rely heavily on that information when deciding on the evidence in the case.”

According to a motion filed in July, Huger’s lawyers sought to dismiss the lawsuit by claiming the evidence collected was the result of an illegal search and seizure. In response, prosecutors filed a motion noting that some of Huger’s statements were made while medical professionals were attempting to treat her, rather than during a custodial interrogation.

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 was neither slurred nor unusual.

The jury was handed the case around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday and has not returned with a verdict at this time.

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