Warwick, RI – When Officer Ryan Lancaster was called to 176 Van Buren St. for a report of a suspicious vehicle Aug. 13 at 2:17 a.m., he found a gray 2008 Toyota Camry parked in the center of the street, its driver dozing.
Lancaster noted in his report that the driver was sweating profusely and had very flushed skin, bloodshot, watery eyes and was emitting a strong odor of alcohol. There were also the remnants of a Taco Bell meal in his lap.
Officer Ryan Lancaster questioned the driver, identified as Alexander Martinez, 34, of 233 Van Buren St., if he’d had anything to drink that night. Martinez replied that he’d had four Amstel Lights at about 10 p.m.
Lancaster asked Martinez to perform a some field sobriety tests, a vision test, and, due to a reported back injury, an alphabet recital test. His vision exhibited signs of involuntary eye movement, and he was unable to follow instructions about which letters of the alphabet to recite.
Lancaster arrested Martinez on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he refused to submit to a chemical test.
Lancaster charged Martinez with DUI, 1st offense, blood alcohol unknown, and cited him for refusing the test. Martinez was also cited for improper parking/stopping.
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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