WPD: Oct. 26 Speeder Charged With DUI

WARWICK, RI  — Warwick Police stopped and arrested a speeding driver Oct. 26 after spotting him darting through traffic on Bald Hill Road, charging him with DUI.

At about 7:06 p.m., Officer Jonathan DiPietro, stationed at 317 Bald Hill Road, noticed a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder, going south past his position at about 61 mph. DiPietro followed the Pathfinder and caught up to it at the intersection of East Avenue and Bald Hill Road, accelerating from the light above the 35 mph speed limit, according to the officer’s report.

As DiPietro followed the Pathfinder, the driver swerved across two lanes of traffic and made an abrupt turn onto Toll Gate Road. DiPietro pulled the Pathfinder over after following it onto Toll Gate. The driver slowly stopped, remaining in the lane.

DiPietro spoke with the driver, identifying him as Sean P. Lawless, 32, of 1031 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown. As they spoke DiPietro reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol from inside the car.

As the officer began explaining the reason for the stop, Lawless interrupted to say he wasn’t from around here. While trying to explain his actions, he suddenly stopped and stared blankly ahead, according to the report.

DiPietro asked how much he had drank, and Lawless said he had a couple beers, but that they had been high-alcohol content beverages. He added that he had been traveling to North Kingstown. DiPietro noted in his report that Lawless had been headed away from North Kingstown when he spotted the Nissan.

During sobriety tests, Lawless demonstrated a lack of smooth pursuit and involuntary eye movement in his vision, missed heel-to-toe pacing and stepped off-line during a walk and turn test and put his foot down and hopped for balance during a one-leg-stand test.

DiPietro detained Lawless on suspicion of DUI and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he registered a .118 and .117 on successive blood alcohol tests.

DiPietro charged him with DUI, .10 to .15, first offense, and cited him for speeding. He was arraigned on the charge Oct. 27 in Third District Court, released on $5,000 personal recognizance and scheduled for a pretrial conference on Nov. 24 and Dec. 15.