Rhode Island State Police Charge a West Warwick Woman with Driving Under the Influence with a 12-Year-Old in the Vehicle

Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces that an individual was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while a 12-year-old was in the vehicle. The driver’s blood-alcohol content (BAC) was allegedly four times the legal limit at the time of her arrest.

On Thursday, July 5, 2018, at approximately 8:40 A.M., Troopers from the State Police Hope Valley Barracks observed a vehicle being operated erratically on Route 102 in the West Greenwich.  Troopers stopped the vehicle and identified the operator as Michelle Powers, age 52, of 25 Barnes Lane, West Greenwich. A 12-year-old girl was in the car.

Troopers observed Ms. Powers to show obvious signs of impairment consistent with someone under the influence of alcohol. She was asked to submit to a series of field sobriety tests, which she allegedly failed.

Ms. Powers was transported to the State Police Hope Valley Barracks, where she submitted to a Breathalyzer test resulting in readings of .319 and .327 percent BAC. The legal limit in Rhode Island is .08 percent.

Ms. Powers was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs – BAC .15 or Greater with a Child Under the Age of Thirteen in the vehicle, which carries a penalty of not more than one year in prison. She was released pending further court action.

Due to her condition, Ms. Powers was transported to South County Hospital for a medical evaluation. The girl was turned over to relatives.