Priest Arraigned on DUI Charges in Pedestrian Strike Case

WARWICK, RI — The Catholic priest arrested on July 14 on charges that he was driving drunk on Airport Road when his car hit a pedestrian was arraigned Thursday in Kent County District Court.

Jacek Ploch, 38, of 445 Washington St. Coventry, RI, a priest at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish and Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church in Coventry, did not enter a plea on one felony count of DUI resulting in bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of DUI with a blood alcohol level of .15 or greater, according to state court records.

The Diocese of Providence announced after Ploch’s arrest that he had been placed on administrative leave and will not work as a priest at the two churches while his case is heard.

Ploch is next scheduled for a court hearing on Sept. 23 on the misdemeanor charge, and the felony charge has been referred to Kent County Superior Court.

District Court Judge Joseph P. Ippolito Jr. also released Ploch on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Warwick Police reported that they found Jonathan Freeman, 38, of Warwick, face-down in the roadway at 767 Airport Road around 9:30 p.m. on July 14. Freeman was apparently trying to cross Airport Road at the time of the collision, police reported.

Rescue personnel took Freeman to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. His condition was not known at the time this article was published.