Erratic Driver Stopped Changing Tire, Arrested on DUI Charge

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police were called to the area of East Avenue near Rte. 95 South Sept. 14 at 9:32 p.m. for a juvenile’s report of an erratic driver who had nearly caused a crash, finding a man changing a severely damaged tire who they arrested on a DUI charge.

Officer Ali Jaafar, on his way, was alerted by a fellow officer to a man standing outside a gold four-door 1999 Toyota Camry near the entrance to Toys R Us at 375 East Ave. The Camry had a flat tire that seemed as if it had been damaged from striking something, according to the officer’s report.

Jaafar spoke with the driver, identifying him as Richard Medeiros, 33, of 112 Earl St., West Warwick. The man appeared to be attempting to change the tire, according to the report. Jaafar could detect a strong odor of alcohol on the man’s breath, and saw his eyes were bloodshot and that his speech was slurred.

Medeiros told Jaafar that he had been on his way home from work. Jaafar asked him to try some sobriety tests, which he agreed to.

During the tests, Medeiros exhibited a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision and involuntary eye movements in his vision and his ability to stand was so impaired he stumbled on the first step of a walk and turn tests. Jaafar decided not to continue with the test and not to attempt the one-leg stand test.

Jaafar put Medeiros into handcuffs and belted him in to his cruiser, then transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive. On the way, Medeiros told Jaafar that he had struck a curb with his car, causing the flat tire.

At police headquarters, Medeiros registered a .253 and a .271 blood alcohol level on a breath test. Jaafar charged him with DUI, .15 or greater, first offense, and also a lane violation. Jaafar released him to the custody of a sober adult, his wife.