WARWICK, RI — Officer Derek Mourato was headed east on Main Avenue Jan. 12 at 1:36 a.m. responding to a crash in Oakland Beach, going about 50 mph with siren and lights on when he spotted a red 2011 Ford Explorer swerving and speeding at about 70 mph in front of him.
Mourato pulled the driver over near Buttonwoods Avenue and identified him as Andres Sarmiento, 42, of 120 Symonds Ave., Warwick, according to the officer’s report. Mourato also noted he could immediately smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the car as he spoke with Sarmiento.
Mourato also reported Sarmiento’s speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. The driver told Mourato he had only had a few drinks before driving.
Despite that assurance, Mourato invited Sarmiento to a series of sobriety tests. During the tests, Sarmiento displayed a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision and involuntary eye movement. The driver refused to perform a walk and turn test and a one-leg stand test.
Mourato arrested Sarmiento and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he registered a .175 twice on successive breath alcohol blood level tests.
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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