Wrong Way Driver Arrested on Rte. 95, Charged with DUI

Warwick, RI – Motorists’ reports of silver Hyundai Elantra headed south on Rte. 95 north in Providence at 1:42 a.m. Sunday drew State Police, who forced the driver to stop, later charging him with DUI.

Troopers traveling south in the southbound lanes saw the car as it entered Warwick, traveling south in the northbound high speed lane. The troopers activated their emergency lights, siren and spot light. The operator ignored the troopers and continued to travel southbound.

The Elantra continued to a point south of Jefferson Boulevard where Troopers responding from the south were able to force the vehicle to stop in the median off the high speed northbound lane.

As troopers interacted with the driver, identified as Brian S. Rutter, 39, of 17 Pennsylvania Ave. West Warwick, he displayed signs of intoxication, according to a RI State Police release on the chase.

Rutter failed a series of standardized field sobriety tests, was arrested and transported to the Wickford Barracks, where he submitted to a breath test, which he failed.

Rutter was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace at the Wickford Barracks on the

following charges:

1. Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs 1st Offense BAC .15 or Greater.

2. Reckless Driving Bail was set at $1,000.00 Personal Recognizance. He is scheduled for a re-arraignment in Third District Court on July 20.

“If it was not for the 911 calls from responsible citizens and the quick response and actions taken by our Troopers, this situation certainly would have ended much differently. I want to thank and commend the callers and the troopers whose intervention prevented another senseless tragedy,” said State Police Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell.