RI State Police Arrest Providence Police Officer
Friday, February 28, 2020
The Rhode Island State Police announced on Thursday the arrest of Stephen W. Kennedy, age 31 of 29 Brooks Street, Cranston, Rhode Island for Driving Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), Driving to Endanger Resulting in Physical Injury and Carrying a Weapon While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs.
At the time of his arrest, Kennedy was a member of the Providence Police Department and subsequently, he has been dismissed according to Providence Police Colonel Hugh Clements.
According to the RI State Police:
On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at approximately 11:10 PM, Rhode Island State Police Trooper Daniel O’Neil was on duty and monitoring traffic while parked on the grass shoulder of Route 95 North in the City of Warwick. The State Police allege Stephen W. Kennedy was operating his 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Route 95 North in the City of Warwick. As Mr. Kennedy passed the Airport Connector, his vehicle exited the roadway and struck Trooper O’Neil’s marked State Police vehicle. Mr. Kennedy displayed signs of impairment at the time of the crash and subsequently consented to a blood test for drugs or alcohol. Based on a follow-up investigation, the Rhode Island State Police allege Stephen W. Kennedy was operating his vehicle in a reckless manner and under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. It is also alleged that Mr. Kennedy possessed a Scheduled II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) and at the time of the crash was in possession of a firearm.
Kennedy was arraigned at State Police Headquarters and released on personal recognizance. He is scheduled to be re-arraigned in Kent County District Court on Tuesday, March 3.
