SC Paramedic Charged in Pot Coverup

A South Carolina paramedic who has been under investigation for the past week, was arrested and charged today for her role in taking and concealing marijuana that was in the pocket of an accident victim.

Chelsea Arrowood, 27, of Berkeley County EMS, surrendered to State Highway Patrol this afternoon and was charged with obstruction of justice. On November 10, 2011 she responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident and treated the driver of one of the vehicles, Shana Robinson, 33. Robinson was later charged with felony DWI, death resulting.

Arrowood is accused of taking marijuana from Robinson’s pocket in order to hide it from the police. Investigators subsequently recovered the pot and charged Robinson with possession. Berkeley County EMS has started its own investigation into the incident, and reported that Arrowood is on previously scheduled paid vacation leave.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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