Driver Flees Police Stop, Arrested for DUI

Warwick, RI — Officer Michael Harris arrested a 51-year-old Warwick driver Nov. 3, charging her with DUI and reckless driving after she tried speeding away from a traffic stop at 65 mph on Quaker Lane before turning onto Rte. 95.

Harris noticed the woman’s gold 1999 Nissan Maxima speeding on Quaker Lane, clocking it at speeds ranging from 60 to 65 mph in the 45 mph zone, and followed behind it for a brief time. After seeing the car drift into the opposite lanes, Harris tried to pull the driver over, but the car only slowed and pulled to the side briefly before speeding away again, according to his report.

Harris followed the car as it turned from Quaker Lane onto Rte. 95 south and pulled over after travelling just under a mile, its drivers’ side tires still half a foot in the lane, Harris reported.

The woman driving turned off the car then held her keys out the window, and put her hands in the air without being asked.

Harris identified the driver as Donna Reardon, 51, of 463 Chestnut St., Warwick. The officer asked why she’d failed to stop, and she said she’d been concerned he would be in danger if she’d stopped when he first tried pulling her over, according to the report.

As the officer spoke with Reardon, he noticed an odor of alcohol on her breath, and that she had bloodshot, watery eyes s and asked her to perform sobriety tests, which she refused.

Harris asked Reardon to exit the car and get into his cruiser. As she made her way, she was unsteady on her feet, according to the officer’s report.

Harris transported her to Kent County hospital, where she was treated and again refused to submit to a chemical test.

Harris charged Reardon with DUI, first offense, reckless driving and driving after suspension of her license. She was also cited for speeding, lane violations, not using a turn signal, and refusing to submit to a chemical test.