Warwick, RI – Officer Thomas Duncan was north on Bald Hill Road July 23, at 1:02 a.m. when a blue 2003 Chevrolet turned onto the street from Tollgate Road headed south toward him, nearly striking his cruiser as it crossed the center line.
Duncan pulled over the driver, Debra Matteson, 48, of 160 Chadsey Road, North Kingstown, after also noting her travelling at 47 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to his report.
As he spoke with the woman, he reported, he could smell a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. He asked if she had been drinking, and Matteson said she’d had about five beers at a friend’s house in West Warwick.
The officer noted in his report the driver had red blotches on her face, that her speech was slurred, and that her eyes were extremely bloodshot.
During field sobriety tests, Matteson showed a lack smooth pursuit in her vision, an inability to maintain heel-to-toe cadence on every step or to stand on one foot.
Duncan arrested her and transported her to Warwick Police headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where she refused to submit to a chemical test.
Duncan charged Matteson with DUI, first offense, blood alcohol unknown. He also cited her for speeding, failure to yeild entering from a road, lane violations, and operating without insurance.
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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