Driver Parked on Elmer Avenue Charged with DUI

WARWICK, RI — Officer Connor Craig was patrolling around Toll Gate Road June 15 at midnight when he spotted a blue Nissan Rogue pulled over on Elmer Avenue, partially in the road, arresting the driver on a DUI charge.

The SUV’s right blinker was on, and while the right tires were over the white fog line, the left part of the car was still in the road, creating a traffic hazard, according to Craig’s report. Craig pulled up behind the car, put on his lights, and got out to check on the driver.

Craig identified the driver as Meaghan Dorian, 33, of 85 Colvintown Road, Coventry, after she rolled down her window to speak with him. As they spoke, Craig reported a smell of alcohol coming from the woman’s breath, and from the inside of the SUV itself, according to the report. Her eyes also appeared bloodshot, Craig reported.

Craig asked Dorian to perform sobriety tests, during which she demonstrated a lack of smooth pursuit and involuntary movement in her vision, stepped off heel-to-toe steps as instructed and stepped off-balance during a walk and turn test, and put her foot down three times trying to balance on one foot, once nearly falling over, according to the report.

Dorian agreed to a preliminary breath test, registering a .114 blood alcohol content reading. Craig arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and transported her to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.

At the station, Dorian registered a .96  and .86 on successive breath tests of her blood alcohol content. Craig charged her with DUI, blood alcohol content .08 – .10, first offense. He also cited her for parking a prohibited spot.

She was released to the custody of a sober adult.