WPD Called for Car in Snowbank, Arrest Driver for DUI

Warwick, RI – Warwick Police Officers were called to George Arden Ave. Feb. 8 at about 4:41 p.m. for a report of a car stuck in a snowbank with the driver asleep at the wheel, ultimately arresting the driver for DUI.

When officers responded to the address, they were directed by the person who called in the report to a blue car stuck in a snow bank at the end of the woman’s George Arden Ave. driveway, according to Officer Nicholas Reay’s report. A large cloud of smoke drifted over the car.

Inside the car, a blue 1999 Ford Taurus, officers found John D. Hobin, 51, of 16 Oakridge Ct., asleep at the wheel. The car had been running, with smoke pouring from the engine, according to Reay’s report.

Reay turned off the engine, waking Hobin, whose breath emitted a strong smell of alcohol. Officers later found a total of 14 open beer cans inside the car, and another three unopened cans.

Hobin told officers he’d fallen asleep at the time of the accident. Reay observed Hobin had bloodshot eyes, his speech was slurred and Hobin smelled strongly of alcohol.

The woman who reported the incident told officers she’d heard a car having trouble on the ice while she was inside watching TV. Outside, she saw Hobin’s Taurus surrounded by a heavy cloud of smoke.

The woman said the driver drank a beer in front of her while she asked if she could help. While Hobin attempted to move the car, the woman said, he burned a hole in the asphalt.

Reay asked Hobin to take a series of field sobriety tests, which he failed. He showed a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision, failed to follow instructions during the walk- and-turn, and immediately lost his balance during the one-leg-stand test.

Reay arrested Hobin, transporting him to Warwick Police headquarters, where he was given a breath test, registering .115 and another at .113

Reay charged Hobin with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited him with leaving the lane of travel and operating without insurance.