MAN CHOKES TO DEATH ON BAG OF MARIJUANA

POPLARVILLE - A Louisiana motorist apparently choked to death Thursday
morning when he swallowed a cellophane bag containing a quantity of
marijuana, according to the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.

Fred L. Steinwinder, 51, of LaPlace, was discovered sleeping behind the
wheel of his van, parked on the shoulder of Interstate 59 near Poplarville
in Pearl River County about 7:30 a.m.

Trooper Charles Smith was on routine patrol when he noticed the van on the
side of the road. Then he discovered Steinwinder asleep behind the wheel,
and smelled alcohol.

After conducting a field sobriety test, Smith went to the rear of the van.
When he returned he found Steinwinder was unconscious. "When the trooper
walked around to the back of the vehicle," said Sgt. Joe Gazzo, MHP
spokesman, "he apparently tried to swallow the drugs."

When Smith found Steinwinder unconscious, he immediately performed
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and discovered the plastic bag lodged in
Steinwinder's throat. Smith was later joined by another motorist, and two
nursing students, but Steinwinder could not be revived.

He was pronounced dead at Crosby Memorial Hospital in Slidell, La. The cause
of death will not be known pending an autopsy, Gazzo said.

"It's tragic because he registered under the (DUI) limit," Gazzo said. "What
he had was less than an ounce, and he would have gotten a ticket and sent on
his way."

Checked-by: Don Beck