Wrong Way Driver Arrested for DUI

Warwick, RI – Police following reports of a wrong-way driver on Veterans Memorial Drive who had driven over the Warwick Fire Department’s lawn before righting himself found and stopped the driver on Post Road, charging him with DUI.

As Lt. Andrew Tainish responded to the area to investigate the reports, he received word that the driver, operating a blue Pontiac Grand Am, had last been seen headed south on Post Road near the Trudeau Center, the officer reported.

As Tainish headed past the area on Post Road, the vehicle approached from the opposite direction, passing him at high speed, according to the officer’s report. Tarnish pulled a u-turn and followed, watching the vehicle cross the center lines twice before pulling the car over near Arnold’s Neck Drive.

Tainish spoke with the driver, David M. Parrillo, 23, of 1143 Main Ave., Apt. 8, Warwick, who had an odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes, according to the report.

Parrillo told the officer he had made a wrong turn, and that he had had a few drinks at Fat Belly’s, stating a few moments later that he’d had five beers in two hours.

Tainish ran Parrillo through a series of field sobriety tests, which he failed. He showed a lack of smooth pursuit in his vision, stepping off the line and using his arms for balance during the Walk and Turn, and putting his foot down during the One Leg Stand.

Parrillo also consented to a preliminary breath test, which returned  a result of .130. Shortly after that, Tainish arrested him, transporting him to Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where subsequent breath tests returned a .121 and .120.

Tainish charged Parrillo with driving under the influence (DUI), first offense, speeding and failing to stay on the right side of the road.