WPD Arrests Swerving Driver on DUI Charge

Warwick, RI – Warwick officers caught up to an erratic driver called in by a detective June 19 at 10 p.m., stopping and arresting the woman driving near 2725 Post Road, charging her with DUI.

The detective reported  seeing the woman’s white 2007 Toyota Corolla swerving in the roadway as the car hit a curb on Post Road near Greenwood Liquors travelling on Main Avenue, then turn onto Post Road heading north, according to Officer Aaron Kay’s report

Kay and officer Jason Cooke pulled behind the Corolla soon after, following as the car continued to swerve across the road. Cooke pulled the car over near Chelo’s Restaurant at 2225 Post Road.

Kay spoke with the driver, later identified as Christine LaChance, 48, of 303 Woodland Ave., Seekonk, MA. The officer reported LaChance had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, and bloodshot eyes.

Kay also noted her movements were labored and clumsy as she searched for her license and registration. LaChance told the officer she was unfamiliar with the area, and had been searching for her hotel.

The driver agreed to a series of sobriety tests, which she failed. She demonstrated a lack of smooth pursuit in her vision, missed heel to toe cadence and lost her balance during the walk-and-turn and was unable to balance on one foot during the one-leg-stand.

Kay arrested LaChance, charging her with DUI, and transported her to Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where she refused to submit to a breath test.

LaChance was charged with DUI, blood alcohol unknown, and sited for refusing the test, lane violations, and moving violations, with a court date of July 31 in the RI Traffic Tribunal Court. She was scheduled to a hearing on the DUI charge for July 14 in Third District Court.