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WPD: Dec. 7 Head-On Crash Leads to Driver’s DUI Charge Arrest

The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive. A Motorcyclist was Killed Saturday after crashing with a car on Airport Road.
The Warwick Police Department is located at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive. 

WARWICK, RI — Officer Ali Jaafar was called to the intersection of Kilvert Street and Jefferson Boulevard Dec. 7 at 4:32 p.m. for a head-on crash between two cars, arresting one of the drivers on a DUI charge.

When Jaafar arrived, Det. Theodore Bulis was administering a series of sobriety tests to the driver of one of the cars, Mary Kathryn DeFelice, 64, of 2637 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence, RI. Defelice was uncooperative during a test of her vision, and could not stand straight on her own. A subsequent walk and turn test had to be abandoned because she was too unsteady on her feet to complete it safely, nearly falling over several times. A one-leg stand was not attempted for the same reason, according to Jaafar’s report.

According to Jaafar’s report, DeFelice had caused the crash by leaving her lane and driving into oncoming traffic. Bulis reported finding DeFelice behind the wheel of a green 1999 Toyota RAV 4 at the crash, with a deployed airbag, but no complaints of pain.

When Bulis asked if she had consumed any alcohol, DeFelice said, “Well, clearly not enough,” according to the detective’s report.

Bulis asked DeFelice to step from the car. She refused, telling the detective she would first call someone on her phone, which she was holding in one hand, according to the detective’s report. DeFelice tried manipulating the phone, but was unable to do so, according to the report. Bulis took the phone from her, telling her that she could make a call once the investigation into the crash was complete. Bulis raised his voice to order the woman out of the car, and she complied, according to the report.

Jaafar took custody of DeFelice, noting she had a flushed face, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, as well as a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. As he escorted DeFelice to his cruiser, taking care to help her walk, since she proved very unsteady on her feet, according to Jaafar’s report. DeFelice’s SUV was towed from the scene by City Towing.

At Warwick Police Headquarters, DeFelice registered a .268 and .253 blood alcohol level. DeFelice told the officer she had drank five or six nip bottles of alcohol on her way from Walmart on Post Road to the Extended Stay nearby, according to Jaafar’s report. Officers reported finding multiple nip bottles of alcohol underneath DeFelice’s seat at the scene of the crash.

Upon learning the results of her blood alcohol test, DeFelice said to Jaafar, “That’s nothing I was once transported to the hospital and my blood results showed that I was a .4,” according to Jaafar’s report.

Jaafar charged DeFelice with DUI, first offense, .15 or greater. She was also issued a citation for leaving the lane of travel. She was released to a sober adult, her husband.

Rob Borkowski
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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