Rhode Island State Police Arrests 16 Individuals for Driving While Impaired During Two-Week Holiday Period

Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces that 16 individuals were arrested and charged with driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs over the past two weeks.

The arrests resulted from intensive enforcement of Rhode Island laws as part of the national traffic enforcement campaign to keep intoxicated motorists off the roadways during the holidays.

“There is simply no excuse for anyone driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol,” Colonel Assumpico said. “The Rhode Island State Police will continue to aggressively pursue, arrest and prosecute anyone who drives while under the influence, putting the lives of everyone else at risk.”

State Police also responded to 1,784 calls for service during this period, including 975 motor vehicle stops; 123 disabled motor vehicles and 165 crashes. Troopers made 96 arrests and issued 1,076 citations and warnings for motor vehicle violations, including 417 for speeding; 92 for seatbelt and child restraint violations; and 14 for distracted driving.

The 16 arrests for driving while impaired during the holiday period also resulted in the seizure of a handgun, an illegal knife (a switchblade) and illegal narcotics.

Those charged with driving under the influence were:

• David Dercole, age 58, of 12 Cambridge Circle, Smithfield, arrested at approximately 7:30 p.m. on December 20 after troopers spotted him allegedly driving erratically on Hartford Avenue in Johnston. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He also was cited for obedience to traffic control devices and laned roadway violations.
• John Stoy, age 52, of Tampa, Florida, arrested at approximately 9:30 p.m. on December 21 after troopers spotted him allegedly driving erratically and using a cellphone while driving on Interstate 95 North, near Interstate 195 in Providence.  Troopers also seized a handgun and ammunition from his car. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C of .10-.15 (Phase I: .136/ Phase II: .143), first offense; possession of a firearm while intoxicated; and license/permit required to carry a firearm. He also was cited for laned roadway violations; text messaging while driving; and presence of an alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle.
• Ashley Rigano, age 27, of 14 Douglas Drive, Cumberland, arrested at approximately 11 p.m. on December 22 following a traffic stop on Interstate 95 North. Troopers recorded a vehicle travelling 114 mph in a 55-mph zone on I-95 North near Exit 13.  The vehicle was later spotted and stopped near Exit 20 in Providence.   The driver, identified as Ms. Rigano, was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. She also was cited for speeding 11+ mph in excess of the posted speed limit; laned roadway violations; interval between vehicles – following too close; and turn signal required.
• Edelfo Recinos, age 30, of 37 Canton St., Providence, arrested at approximately 1:50 a.m. on December 23 after Troopers responded to a call for a one-car rollover crash on the ramp from Route 6 to Dean Street in Providence. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C greater than .15 (Phase I: .167/ Phase II: .167), first offense, and driving without a license, third offense. He also was cited for failure to maintain control of his vehicle and driving without proof of insurance.
• Edward George, age 41, of 125 Columbus Ave., Pawtucket, arrested at approximately 2:10 a.m. on December 23 after Troopers responded to a call for a disabled motor vehicle in the high-speed lane of Interstate 95 South at Elmwood Avenue in Providence and found Mr. George in a vehicle stopped there. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C greater than .15 (Phase I: .226/ Phase II: .237), first offense. He also was cited for stopping on a travelled portion of open highway.
• Osvaldo Rivera Medina, age 46, of 292 Burnside Ave., Woonsocket, arrested at approximately 10:20 p.m. on December 26 after Troopers received calls for an erratic operator on Route 146 North in Lincoln and minutes later found the car crashed on Route 146, near Route 116. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
• Dane Rivard, age 30, of 118 Vandewater St., Providence, arrested at approximately 11:45 p.m. on December 27 after Troopers spotted a vehicle being operated erratically on Interstate 95 North near Route 37, in Warwick. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C greater than .15 (Phase I: .200/ Phase II: .206), first offense. He also was cited for laned roadway violations.
• Christian Hernandez, age 41, of 1449 Broad St., Providence, arrested at approximately 7 p.m. on December 28 after Troopers spotted a vehicle being operated erratically on Douglas Avenue in Providence. Troopers also seized an illegal weapon – a switchblade. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C greater than .15 (Phase I: .259/Phase II: .267), first offense; weapons other than firearms prohibited; forgery and counterfeiting of registration plates; and driving without/expired license – third offense. He also was cited for operating left of center; operation of an unregistered vehicle; operating a motor vehicle without evidence of insurance; violation of inspection laws; and presence of an alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle.
• Nicole Reis, age 36, of 108 Miles Ave., East Providence, arrested at approximately 11:40 p.m. on December 28 after Troopers spotted a vehicle being operated erratically on Interstate 95 South and stopped the vehicle on the Airport Connector in Warwick. She was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C greater than .15 (Phase I: .189/Phase II: .188), first offense. She also was cited for laned roadway violations.
• Jesus A. Baez, age 34, of 85 Ledge St., Central Falls, arrested at approximately 8:30 p.m. on December 29 after Troopers responded to a report of a hit-and-run crash on Route 146 at Sayles Hill Road in North Smithfield. (No injuries were reported in the crash.) Troopers found the suspect’s vehicle on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence and arrested the driver, identified as Mr. Baez. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He also was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in damage to an attended vehicle. In addition, he was cited for failure to maintain reasonable and prudent speeds; interval between vehicles – following too close; no seatbelt – operator; and driving with a suspended license.
• Chandler M. Meade, age 26, of 108 Tomahawk Trail, Cranston, arrested at approximately 2 a.m. on December 30 after Troopers recorded a vehicle travelling 85 miles an hour in a 55-mph zone on Route 6/Atwood Avenue in Johnston. The vehicle was stopped after entering Interstate 295 South in Johnston. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, B.A.C .08 to .10 (Phase I: .089/Phase II: .086). He also was cited for speeding 11+ mph hour in excess of the posted speed limit.
• Jarrett Galloway, age 27, of West Wareham, MA, arrested at approximately 7:15 p.m. on December 29 after Troopers recorded a vehicle traveling 75 miles an hour in a 55-mph zone and operating erratically on Interstate 95 South in West Warwick. The vehicle was stopped near Exit 8 in West Warwick, where Troopers also seized oxycodone pills and marijuana. The operator, identified as Mr. Galloway, was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, refusal to submit to a chemical test and possession of a controlled substance – schedule I-IV (oxycodone). He also was cited for speeding 11+ mph in excess of the posted speed limit; laned roadway violations; obedience to traffic control devices; turn signal required; and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less.
• David Viens, age 50, of 19 Barker St., Johnston, arrested at approximately 10:10 p.m. on December 30 after Troopers spotted a vehicle being operated erratically on Route 6 West in Providence. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He also was cited for laned roadway violations and use of breakdown lane for travel.
• Stephen Larbi, age 30, of 45 Sherman Ave., Pawtucket, arrested at approximately 12:50 a.m. on December 31 after Troopers recorded a vehicle travelling 93 miles an hour in a 55-mph zone and operating erratically in heavy traffic on Interstate 95 North in Providence. The vehicle was stopped near Exit 27 in Pawtucket. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He also was cited for speeding 11+ mph in excess of the posted speed limit; laned roadway violations; interval between vehicles – following too closely; and no seat belt – operator.
• David Elliot, age 36, of 97 Angell Road, Cumberland, arrested at approximately 11:50 p.m. on December 31 after Troopers spotted a vehicle being operated erratically on Douglas Pike in North Smithfield. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He also was cited for operating left of center and leaving the lane of travel.
• Faith Pucci, age 21, of 11 Frances Ave., Narragansett, arrested at approximately 1:50 a.m. today (Jan. 2, 2019) after Troopers spotted a vehicle being operated erratically on Interstate 95 South in West Greenwich. The vehicle was stopped on Route 102 in West Greenwich, where the operator, identified as Ms. Pucci, was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, B.A.C. unknown, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. She also was cited for laned roadway violations.