Coventry Man, DUI Charge Jan. 20: ‘I Shouldn’t Be Driving’

WARWICK, RI — A Coventry man stopped and charged for DUI early Jan. 20 on West Shore Road told WPD Officer Kyle Deneen he had just had four drinks at the Whalen, and, “I shouldn’t be driving,” according to a report.

Deneen spotted the man’s car, a gold colored sedan, later identified as a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis, at 1:17 a.m., according to the report,as he passed it on West Shore Road at the Deacon Avenue intersection . Deneen noted that the license plate light on the back of the car was not lit, and turned to follow the sedan to confirm it wasn’t working. As he followed, the officer saw the sedan cross over the white breakdown lane line with both tires near Long Street. He continued following he car as it turned right onto the Post Road Extension, pulling over the driver near 2999 Post Road, according to the officer’s report.

DUI Charge Follows Sobriety, Breath Tests

Deneen spoke with the driver, asking him about having crossed the white line on West Shore Road, and the driver, identified as Matthew Kirkland, 23, of 24 Laurel Ave., Coventry, said he had not noticed having done that. Kirkland told Deneen he had just left the Whalen, where he had had four drinks, telling Deneen, “I shouldn’t be driving,” according to the report.

Officer Nicolas Allen arrived to assist Deneen and the two supervised a series of sobriety tests, during which Kirkland demonstrated a lack of smooth pursuit and involuntary movement in his vision, an inability to walk a straight line and turn as instructed, and a failure to stand on one leg without using the other for balance. He also submitted to a portable breath test, which provided a blood alcohol content reading of .125 percent.

Deneen arrested Kirkland on suspicion of DUI and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he provide blood alcohol breath samples registering .101 percent and .104 percent. Deneen charged Kirkland with one count of Dui Of Liquor-.IO to.l5 – lSt Offense.

Deneen also cited him for violating the road lane. Kirkland was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and scheduled for a March 9 hearing on the charge in Third Division District Court.