SUV Crash into Pole Ends With DUI Charge for Driver

WARWICK, RI — A loud bang alerted a Washington Street man that a tan 2005 GMC Envoy had just struck a telephone pole outside his home Dec. 28 at 6:56 p.m., and the driver standing beside it, who was later arrested on a DUI charge.

Officer Ryan Lancaster was called to 57 Washington St. for the crash, finding the SUV with its front end resting against the pole, with heavy front-end damage, and no one inside, according to the officer’s report.

Standing nearby were two men, one the local witness, who identified the other man as the driver. Lancaster spoke with the driver, identifying him as John Cullen, 59, of 1890 Broad St., Apt. 218, Cranston, RI, Lancaster reported.

As the two spoke, Lancaster noted Cullen’s speech was slurred, and that his breath had an odor of alcohol, according to the report. 

Cullen told the officer he had been driving the Envoy, his vehicle, during the crash. He said he had left the VFW at 172 Washington St. and had been attempting to drive home when he must have  fallen asleep, according to the report. He said he had drank two vodka and soda drinks before getting into the SUV.

Cullen’s head was scraped and he complained of pain throughout his body. He said he had not been wearing a seat belt, Lancaster reported. The airbags had not deployed during the crash, Lancaster noted in the report. 

Lancaster held Cullen on suspicion of DUI, securing his hands in handcuffs, and Warwick Fire sent an ambulance to the scene, transporting him to Rhode Island Hospital, Lancaster reported. 

At the hospital, Cullen refused to submit to a chemical test, and Lancaster released him into Rhode Island Hospital’s custody.  Lancaster issued Cullen a summons for Third District Court on Jan. 31 for a count of DUI, blood alcohol unknown.