Suspected Drunk Driver Rear-Ends Smithfield Officer

SMITHFIELD, RI—An officer working a DUI detail suffered minor injuries when an alleged drunk driver hit his cruiser early Saturday. Police said accident happened around 1 a.m. A Smithfield Police Officer was working an “Operation Rhode Island Blue Riptide” detail when his cruiser was struck from behind by another vehicle.

The officer was seated in his patrol vehicle and was preparing a summons for a motorist stopped for a violation on Douglas Pike in the area of Branch Pike, police said. He suffered minor injuries. The other driver was not hurt.

Derek T. Lewis, 32, of Pascoag, Rhode Island, was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, Refusal to Submit to a Preliminary Breath Test, Expired Vehicle Registration, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Evidence of Insurance, Reasonable and Prudent Speeds and Laned Roadway Violation. He was later released from police headquarters with a summons.

Both vehicles were heavily damaged and towed from the scene, police said.