Driver Arrested for DUI Trying to Leave Scene of Crash

Warwick, RI — Officer Ryan Lancaster was called to 1073 Narragansett Parkway April 5 at 9:14 p.m. for a report of a crashed pickup truck, found witnesses blocking the driver from walking from the scene, and arrested him on a DUI charge.

Lancaster arrived to find a white Ford F250 Pickup with apparently recent severe front-end and passenger-side damage facing west in the eastbound lanes of Narragansett Parkway, according to the officer’s report.

Lancaster reported there were tire tracks leading from the truck into the grass and bushes at 5 Kendall Lane. It appeared as if the truck had travelled into the property then been backed up, according to the report.

Witnesses told the officer the man they were blocking from leaving had been the driver of the truck. Lancaster identified the man as Brian Lima, 30, of 734 Douglas Ave., Providence.

Lima denied having driven the truck, telling Lancaster he’d been the passenger. Lancaster reported that there was a television resting in the passenger’s side seat of the truck, and other debris strewn across the interior surfaces of the truck, except for the driver’s seat. The officer also noted that Lima was holding a set of Ford keys in his hand.

As Lancaster spoke with Lima, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol on the driver’s breath, as well as bloodshot eyes, and that the man swayed from side to side as he stood.

A neighbor told Lancaster that she had heard a loud noise, and looked outside to see the white pickup crashing into the bushes. She said only one person had exited the truck after the crash, from the driver’s side door.

An investigation of the incident showed the pickup had struck a parked vehicle at 1059 Narragansett Parkway before crashing into the bushes at 5 Kenall Lane, according to the report.

Lancaster reported that a background check on Lima revealed an outstanding warrant from Third District Court for Failure to Appear on for Payment Review issued Feb. 29, and also that Lima’s license was suspended.

Lancaster arrested on the warrant and also for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Lima and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he refused to submit to a blood alcohol test.

Lancaster charged Lima with DUI, first offense, blood alcohol unknown, driving with a suspended license, refusing to submit to a chemical test, and leaving the scene of a crash.

Lima pled not guilty to the DUI charge during arraignment in Third District Court April 26, and was released on personal recognizance pending a pre-trial conference May 10.