Warwick, RI – Warwick Officer John Curley was driving west on Airport Road April 11 at 1:06 a.m. when a dark SUV passed him at 56 mph in the 35 mph zone, prompting the officer to pursue him, eventually arresting the driver on a DUI charge.
Curley caught up with the SUV, a green 2001 Honda CRV, just as it took an abrupt left into the Airport Road Hess station parking lot and pulled into a spot in front of the convenience store, the officer reported.
The officer activated his emergency lights and ordered the driver, later identified as Robert Tessier, 37, of 100 Model Ave., Warwick, who had stepped out of the SUV, to get back in. The driver complied, according to the officer’s report.
As Curley spoke with Tessier, the officer noted an odor of alcohol on his breath, and noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. When asked if he’d been drinking, Tessier replied that he’d had a couple of beers, according to the report.
During field sobriety tests, Tessier showed a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision, failed to keep balanced during the Walk and Turn, and used his arms for balance during the one-leg stand.
Curley arrested Tessier, transporting him to Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he refused to submit to a breath test.
Curley charged Tessier with driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, blood alcohol unknown, and issued violations for speeding and refusing the breath test.
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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