Warwick, RI — If you’re looking for the right words to diffuse a tense encounter with an officer after nearly striking his cruiser with your car, you could do a lot better than, “Almost doesn’t count.”
Yet those are the words Aaron Lashus, 24, of 1164 Plainfield St., Johnston, used when Officer Keri-Ann Leighton pulled him over and asked him why the driver’s car had come close to hitting her cruiser Oct. 24 at 2:19 a.m. on Overhead Way, according to the officer’s report.
As Leighton spoke with Lashus, she noted the smell of alcohol on his breath. The officer asked if Lashus had been drinking, and the driver repsponded, “I’m not gonna lie to you. I had three beers and two shots,” according to the officer’s report.
Leighton invited Lashus to perform some sobriety tests, which he agreed to, and failed. Lashus showed a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision, lack of balance during the walk and turn, and was unable to stand on one foot during the one-leg-stand.
Leighton arrested Lashus, charging him with DUI, and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, where the man registered a .233 and .238 blood alcohol content.
Leighton also issued Lashus violations for driving left of center and driving with a suspended license. He was scheduled for an arraignment on the charges Dec. 1.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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