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Erratic Driver Report Yields DUI Arrest July 5

The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.

WARWICK, RI  — Officer Derek Hagopian was called to the Cumberland Farms at 3335 Post Road July 5 at 1:50 a.m. for a report of a driver who had nearly struck three telephone poles and a car on Post Road, arresting him on a DUI charge.

Hagopian and Officer Frank Montanaro spoke with the driver while Officer Jody Wild contacted the reporting caller at the Apponaug Dunkin Donuts, according to the officer’s report. The calller told Wild that the black Honda had pulled behind MBX Bike Shop at 3480 Post Road for several minutes before pulling back onto Post Road and pulling up to the gas pumps at the Cumberland Farms, according to Wild’s report.

Wild  identified the driver as Elmer Rojas, 26, of 301 Lowell Ave., Providence, in the process spotting a White Claw spiked seltzer can in the driver side cup holder in the man’s car. There were also several empty Truly spiked seltzer cans in the passenger side front of the car, according to the report.

Rojas denied that he had been drinking, telling Hagopian he had been smoking marijuana earlier. The driver also identified stains on his T-shirt and pants as vomit, and said he’d pulled behind the bike shop to be sick. He then admitted to having drank “a few” White Claws.

Wild invited him to perform sobriety tests, which Rojas agreed to, stumbling on his way to a clear spot in the parking lot for the tests.

During the tests, Rojas was unable to follow instructions adequately during a test of his vision, and said a chronically stiff left leg prevented him from performing a walk and turn test. He agreed to perform a one-leg-stand test using his good right leg, however.

During the test, Rojas put his foot down several times and used his arms for balance, and nearly fell over several times. Hagopian ended the test short out of concern for Rojas safety.

Hagopian arrested Rojas on suspicion of DUI, and his car was towed from the scene by Blue Sun Towing. His license plates were confiscated because the registration was suspended, according to the report.

Hagopian transported Rojas to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he refused to submit to a breath test of his blood alcohol level. He also admitted to having drank what he estimated was 24 spiked seltzers.

Hagopian charged Rojas with DUI, first offense, blood alcohol unknown, first offense, and cited for refusing the breath test and driving with a suspended registration. He was later released into the custody of Kent Hospital for detox treatment.

 

 

Rob Borkowski
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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