Impaired Drivers Wreak Havoc on RI Roads Overnight

Sunday, December 18, 2022

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PHOTO: Justin Case

Law enforcement is reporting two incidents involving impaired drivers on Rhode Island highways overnight.

The first incident involved a wrong-way driver causing a head-on crash on Route 37.

According to the Rhode Island State Police, on Saturday, December 17 at approximately 7:05 PM, a 2017 Kia Optima entered onto Route 37 West traveling the wrong way (east) from Natick Avenue in Cranston. The operator, identified as Jay J. Petit, 56, of 98 Williams Road, Oakdale, CT continued along for just under half a mile in the second lane while passing multiple vehicles the wrong way. The operator then merged onto the exit ramp from Route 295 North to Route 37 West, still traveling the wrong way, and traveled approximately 800 feet on the exit ramp until it struck a second vehicle, a 2017 Honda Accord, head-on.

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Petit fled the scene on foot and was later located and taken into custody. He was transported to Roger Williams Hospital, charged with 1.) Driving to Endanger Resulting in Personal Injury, 2.) Driving while Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury – First Offense, BAC Unknown, 3.) Duty to Stop in Accident Resulting in Injury, 4.) Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty, and 5.) Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test- First Offense. Petit was later arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released to the care of Roger Williams Medical Center.  

The operator of the Honda Accord was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. 

The second incident involved an Impaired driver striking a State Police cruiser

Early on Sunday morning at approximately 12:34 AM, a State Police Trooper was outside of his cruiser clearing debris in the roadway on Route 95 South approximately 500 feet north of Route 6 in Providence when a white Chevrolet Silverado traveling at a high rate of speed struck the rear of his cruiser. The operator of the Silverado, identified as Curt Litaway, 40 of 164 Montaup Street Fall River, MA was subsequently arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs, Possession of Schedule I-V Controlled Substance and Refusal to Submit to Breathalyzer, as well as receiving numerous traffic citations.

No injuries were sustained.

 

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