Driver Arrested After Hitting Three Vehicles on Way Home

MIDDLETOWN, RI— Police found something of a citizen's arrest in progress on Dec. 26 at 7:57 p.m. when they were called to Rogers Lane for a possibly drunk driver.

They found a Ford Explorer stopped in the middle of Rogers Lane. A Chevy Tahoe was sitting in front of the Explorer, and four occupants stood outside the cars.

One of the drivers approached the officer and said he was traveling south on West Main Road near the intersection with Oliphant Lane when the Explorer crossed the yellow line, headed for the Tahoe, hit the Tahoe on the front passenger side and ripped off the side view mirror.

The Explorer did not stop, so the Tahoe's driver followed him onto Rogers Lane, passed him and then hit the brakes to force the Explorer to stop.

Police investigated and found indications the cars had been involved in a sideswipe collision.

Ultimately, Ronald J. Silvia, 56, of Middletown was arrested at 8:21 p.m. after he allegedly was driving erratically and almost collided with three other vehicles on West Main Road, police said.

He was charged with two misdemeanors: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, second offense; and duty to stop after an accident, damage resulting to a vehicle.