Warwick, RI – Sage advice tells drowsy motorists to pull over and nap, but one driver skipped the first part at the intersection of Post Road and Airport Road Feb. 8, where Warwick Police arrested him for DUI.
Officers Jamey Petit and Javier Cabreja were called to the area of Post Road and Airport Road at 12:16 a.m. that day for a report of a driver who appeared to be sleeping at the wheel, according to Petit’s report.
Petit found the truck, a white 2014 Chevy Silverado, in the right-hand left turn lane on Post Road for Airport Road. The driver’s foot was on the brake, the engine was running and the drivers side window was partially rolled down, Petit reported.
Petit reached through the window and put the truck in park and unlocked the door. Cabreja reached in from the passenger’s side and turned off the ignition, removing the keys.
Petit was able to wake the driver, later identified as Christopher M. Deangelis, 35, of 255 Sandy Lane, Warwick, after several attempts. The officer asked Deangelis to get out of the car.
When Deangelis got out, Petit reported he was unsteady on his feet. Petit spoke with the driver, whose breath smelled of alcohol, the officer reported. He said he had been returning home from work and had had two beers.
After consenting to a series of field sobriety tests, Deangelis proceeded to fail them. He failed to follow instructions during the vision test, displaying a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision, failed to stay on the line and broke heel-to-toe contact during the Walk and Turn, and used his arms for balance during the one-leg stand.
Petit arrested Deangelis, arranging to have his car towed by Joe’s Towing, and transported Deangelis to Warwick Police headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
Petit charged Deangelis with driving under the influence of alcohol, blood alcohol unknown, and also cited him for refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test, first offense, and for a parking violation.
Deangelis was arraigned in Third District Court Feb. 25 and will answer the charges in Third District Court March 11.
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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