Man, Woman Charged After She Reportedly Starts to Fall Asleep at Wheel

An East Providence woman, 52, and a Warren man, 42, were arrested by Barrington police early on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, after a report by another driver indicated their vehicles appeared to be swerving all over the road.

Mary Ellen Camara, of Narragansett Avenue, East Providence, faces a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Brian Pacheco, of Child Street, Warren, faces a charge of carrying a weapon other than a firearm – an 8-inch knife.

Barrington police officers pulled over their vehicles near Middle Highway and Winsor Avenue at around 12:30 am. Pacheco’s vehicle, a Plymouth Neon, allegedly crossed the center line and attempted to overtake Camara’s vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, said Barrington Police Chief John LaCross.

The situation was observed by a driver in a Jeep Compass traveling in between the two cars, he said.

Pacheco said he was attempting to get the attention of Camara because he feared she was falling asleep at the wheel, said LaCross. He showed no signs of intoxication.

A search of his vehicle after it was stopped found the knife under the front seat and a 26-inch long by 1.5-inch wide wooden club wrapped with electrical tape and bearing the word “bully.”

Camara consented to be given several field tests by a patrol officer with training in detecting drug use – legal prescription drugs or illegal drugs, said LaCross. The officer reported that she fumbled when asked to produce her license and registration for the vehicle and showed other signs of drug use.

The officer reported that she appeared to have overdosed on a prescription drug she takes. She admitted to him that she may have taken too much, LaCross said. 

A Breathalyzer test Camara also agreed to take found no evidence of alcohol in her blood.

Camara was arraigned at the police station and released several hours later. Pacheco was released at the scene. Both were given dates to appear in Sixth District Court to face the charges.