Man Arrested for DUI After Dec. 23 Rollover in Warwick Park

Warwick, RI – A West Warwick man was arrested Dec. 23 after he flipped over a 1997 Ford Ranger in Warwick City Park at 9:26 p.m.

When Warwick Police Officers Jason Cooke and Brian Chianese responded to the call, reported as a single car crash, they found two people talking together near the overturned truck at the entrance to the park on City Park Road. The truck was resting on the passenger’s side

The male member of the pair was later identified as Shane Pugsley, 26, of 20 Queen Ave., West Warwick.

Cooke spoke with Pugsley, who had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, according to the officer’s report. When asked if he’d had anything to drink that night, Pugsley informed Cooke he’d had a six pack of beer, the officer reported.

Pugsley also claimed that his friend, the woman, had been driving when the truck rolled over.

Cooke, who arrived before Chianese, told the second officer he believed Pugsley had been the driver of the overturned vehicle, although the woman was the owner of the vehicle and she also claimed to have been the driver.

The officers pointed out to the woman that the driver’s seat was too far back for her to have been the driver. They also pointed out that Pugsley had a small cut on his nose from being struck by the truck’s airbag. They also pointed out that she had no cuts or scrapes.

After being presented with the officers’ observations, the woman told them she had seen her friend, Pugsley, on the side of the road that night and offered him a ride. The two drove toward the park on Asylum Road, and she switched seats with Pugsley because it was too dark for her to drive.

The woman told police she thought Pugsley had only had one beer that night, and they informed her he’d actually had six, according to Chianese’s report.

Then the woman told the policemen Pugsley had told her he’d had five beers, and had one beer on him when he took over driving the truck. She said that as they were leaving the park Pugsley lost control of the truck and it tipped over.

In speaking with Pugsley and the woman, the officers learned that the truck had struck a yellow marked post and a rock.

Cook asked Pugsley to take a series of sobriety tests, which he failed. He was unable to maintain heel to toe during the Walk and Turn, stepped off the line and used his arms for balance, then put his foot down during the One Leg Stand, according to the report. He also exhibited a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision.

Cooke arrested Pugsley, then transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, where he refused to submit to a chemical test.

Cooke charged Pugsley with DUI, second offense, blood alcohol unknown,  driving with a suspended license, and issued him a citation for refusing a chemical test.