WARWICK, RI — A white 1998 Honda Accord headed south on Post Road nearly struck a police cruiser as it turned left on Spofford Ave., inspiring the officer in the the marked car to pull it over, resulting in the driver’s arrest on a DUI charge.
Officer Ali Jaafar was was headed south on Post Road when the Honda made an abrupt left in front of him as its driver attempted to turn onto Spofford Avenue, according to the officer’s report. Jaafar had to brake abruptly and made an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision.
The Honda continued onto Spofford Avenue without pausing. Jaafar followed in his cruiser, turning on the car’s lights and siren to get the other driver’s attention, pulling the person over on Spofford Avenue, according to the report.
Jaafar identified the driver as Dawn Bouressa, 46, of 30 Wisdom Ave., Apt. FL3, Providence. The woman had a flush red face, bloodshot eyes an extremely strong odor of alcohol on her person, and initially spoke to the officer in an unintelligible mumble when asked if she’d seen him during their near crash.
When asked if she’d had anything to drink that night Bouressa repeated the words, “just two glasses,” several times. When asked if she was on impairing medication, she replied, “Of course I am,” and informed Jaafar that she had taken Adderall, Citravine and Wellbutrin, all within one hour of the stop.
During a series of sobriety tests, Bouressa exhibited a lack of smooth pursuit in her vision and involuntary eye movement. She was also unable to balance and stepped off-line during a walk and turn test, and was unable to balance on one for for any amount of time, according to the report.
Jaafar arrested her on suspicion of DUI and transported her to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where she refused to take a chemical breath test.
Jaafar charged her with DUI, first offense, blood alcohol unknown, cited her for refusing the test, as well as for leaving the lane of travel and failing to use a turn signal. She was issued a summons on the charges to Third District Court on Nov. 29.
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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