WARWICK, RI — Officer Derek Mourato was called to 555 Quaker Lane Dec. 29 at 8:41 p.m. for a report of a two-vehicle crash with no injuries, arresting the driver of a silver 2007 Saturn on a DUI charge.
Mourato arrived at the scene and spoke with the driver of the first car, Richard Gawek, 52, of 880 Division Road, East Greenwich, who told him he was traveling north on Bald Hill Road, then taken a left into the House of Liquor lot, at which time a red car struck his from the opposite direction. The driver of the second vehicle said she was traveling south when the man’s car took a sudden left in front of her and struck her car, according to the officer’s report.
While speaking with Gawek, Mourato noted his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Gawek was also unsteady on his feet, according to the officer’s report.
Mourato asked Gawek to perform some sobriety tests, to which he agreed.
During the tests, Gawek demonstrated a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision, was unable to to walk a straight line while maintaining heel-to-toe cadence, and was unable to keep his balance while standing on one foot.
Mourato arrested Gawek on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, and transported her to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he refused to submit to a chemical test of his blood alcohol.
Mourato charged Gawek with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He was released into the custody of Kent County Hospital for treatment of pain resulting from the crash.
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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