Rhode Island State Police: 5 Suspects Charged With Driving Under The Influence

PROVIDENCE, RI—State police charged several suspects with Driving under the Influence over the past weekend. Luis Villa, 32, of Providence, was arrested about 1:10 a.m. today (Monday) after troopers stopped his car for a traffic violation on Updike Street in Providence. He was charged with driving under the influence.

Police counted eight people in his five-passenger car at the time of his arrest, including five children, ages 2 to 16, and a pregnant woman. Several of the passengers were sitting on each other’s laps in the car; none was wearing seatbelts.

Villa was charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; refusal to submit to a chemical test; and obstruction of an officer in execution of his duties. If convicted of the drunk driving offense, he could face additional penalties because there were children under the age of 13 in the car at the time.

He also was issued several traffic citations for seatbelt and child restraint violations; failure to use turn signals; and operating without evidence of registration or insurance. He was held overnight, pending arraignment in Sixth District Court today.

“Our troopers continue to aggressively identify and arrest drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as seen by these five arrests,” said Capt. Matthew Moynihan. “But we’re especially concerned when motorists suspected of driving under the influence are doing so with young children in their car, recklessly endangering innocent young lives. That is absolutely unacceptable.”

The case also was referred to the state Department for Children, Youth and Families.

Villa was the second drunk driving suspect arrested with a child in the car.

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Here are the other arrests.

John Pires, 38, of Pawtucket, was charged with driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content of .10 to .15 (Phase I .145; Phase II .141) after troopers stopped him for a traffic violation on I-95 North in Warwick about 12:35 a.m. Saturday.

Arthur Boudreau, 37, of Warwick, was arrested about 12:40 a.m. Sunday after troopers stopped him for a traffic violation on Nowicki Street in West Warwick. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; refusal to submit to a chemical test; and operating on a suspended license – third offense.

Juan De Leon, 33, of Providence, was arrested about 11:40 p.m. Sunday after a motor vehicle stop on Dorchester Avenue in Providence. He was charged with driving under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs .15 or greater (Phase I .205; Phase II .205) and driving without/expired license.

Courtesy Photo: Louis Villa