Providence Woman Accused Of Crashing Car With 2 Small Children Inside

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence woman is facing DUI charges after being accused of causing a three-car crash Friday evening while her two children, ages 6 and 9, were passengers in her car, Rhode Island State Police said in a news release.

The crash was reported around 5:50 p.m. on Route 10 North near Union Avenue Friday, where police said Stefane Garcia, 36, was driving her silver Honda when she struck a Ford Explorer, which then caused the Explorer to strike a blue Nissan, according to police.

Garcia failed a series of Field Sobriety Tests at the scene and "displayed obvious signs of impairment," police wrote in Friday's news release.

Garcia was taken into custody. Her two children were treated at the hospital for minor injuries before being taken into care at the Department of Children, Youth and Families, police said.

No other injuries were reported, according to police.

Garcia was arraigned Saturday morning on the following charges:

1. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol - BAC Unknown (First Offense)

2. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol with a Passenger Under 13 years of age (two counts)

3. Reckless Driving

4. Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

She was also presented with a probation violator for a charge of Cruelty to or Neglect of a Child originating from the Middletown Police Department, according to police.

Eight others were arrested for DUI on the same evening, police said.