Driver Cuts Straight Through Apponaug Roundabout, Arrested on DUI Charge

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police were called to Wilde’s Corner Nov. 9 at 4:34 p.m. for a report of a possible drunk driver in a brown 1999 Audi, headed toward Apponaug, stopping and arresting him on a DUI charge.

Officer Jacob Elderkin was in the area, at the rotary just east of Warwick Police Headquarters, when dispatch alerted officers the Audi was headed into Apponaug. Elderkin saw the Audi, alerted dispatch, and began following it, according to the officer’s report.

Elderkin reported he saw the car proceed directly through the rotary in a straight line north toward Post Road instead of following the curve of the road.

The Audi continued north on Post Road, swerving drastically, Elderkin reported, its two passenger-side tires crossing the white fog line of the road, the officer reported. After seeing the vehicle swerve, he reported, he pulled the car over.

Elderkin spoke with the driver, identifying him as Derek Guille-Nash, 28, of 145 Chestnut St., Abbington, MA. As they spoke, Elderkin said, he could smell a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The officer also reported Guille-Nash had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

A series of sobriety tests showed Guille-Nash had a lack of smooth pursuit and involuntary eye movement in his vision. The man also failed to maintain heel-to-toe cadence during a walk and turn test, and put his foot down and was unbalanced during a one-leg-stand test.

Elderkin arrested Guille-Nash and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, where he registered results of .147 and .149 on a breath alcohol test.

Elderkin charged Guille-Nash with DUI, first offense, .10 – .15 blood alcohol content, and also cited him for lane violation. The officer released him to a sober adult.