South Kingstown Woman Charged With DUI After Striking Utility Pole

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A Warwick woman was arrested Tuesday after South Kingstown police said she struck a utility pole with her car while under the influence of alcohol.

Police said they were called to a crash on Kingstown Road and found Elizabeth Tocco, 64, had struck a utility pole. Officers spoke with Tocco, who smelled like alcohol and had bloodshot and watery eyes, according to South Kingstown police.

Police said Tocco failed a series of field sobriety tests and arrested her run 3:05 p.m. According to police, Tocco's blood-alcohol levels were 0.162 and 0.153.

Tocco is scheduled to appear in Washington County District Court on Oct. 26. She was charged with driving under the influence of liquor (0.15 or great blood-alcohol level).

"It's never OK to drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs, but it is disturbing to see a driver with her blood alcohol level two times the legal limit in the early afternoon hours when children are walking home from school and our school buses are on the road," Police Chief Matthew Moynihan said.

Tocco's vehicle was severely damaged and was towed from the scene. Police said Rhode Island Energy responded to assess the damage to the utility pole.

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