A North Platte woman is facing numerous charges after she decided to drive while under the influence of a powerful narcotic painkiller.

At around 5:00 p.m., on August 16, officers were dispatched to a traffic accident at 12th and Poplar Streets.  It was reported that one of the vehicles involved in the crash had left the scene.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2002 Honda Civic, driven by Michael Gould, of North Platte, was northbound on Poplar Street, approaching a stop sign when it was rear-ended by a black 2012 Lincoln Navigator.  Witnesses said the Navigator continued driving northbound before heading west on Rodeo Road.

A short time later, an officer located the suspect vehicle near the Family Dollar store, 521 Rodeo Road.  The officer attempted to make contact with the driver, later identified as 33-year-old Amy Becenti.

According to Investigator John Deal, Becenti was unconscious when the officer approached the vehicle.  At that time, it was unclear if Becenti was injured as a result of the accident or if it was a medical condition.  Additionally, the officer noticed two children in the back seat of the vehicle.  Both were uninjured and properly restrained.

Officers reported that Becenti eventually woke up and was transported to Great Plains Health.  According to scanner traffic, Becenti was combative with law enforcement and EMS.

While at the hospital, two Fentanyl patches, a powerful narcotic painkiller, were found on Becenti’s body. She also failed a preliminary breath test for alcohol.

Once medically cleared, Becenti was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.  She’s been charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, felony possession of a controlled substance and child abuse.  Officers also located a glass pipe with marijuana residue in plain view in Becenti’s vehicle.  As a result, she was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.

As of late Wednesday morning, Becenti was being held without bond.