Senator Whitehouse's Son Arrested on DUI Charge

Alexander Whitehouse, of Newport, the 19-year-old son of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, was arrested early this morning on charges of driving under the influence. His passenger, 18 year-old Robert Bauer, of Portsmouth, was also arrested for possession of marijuana.

Police said around 1:25 this morning a witness called the to report a car that was operating in an erratic manner at the intersection of Green End Avenue and Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown. The witness said the passenger was holding a beer bottle and both individuals in the car appeared to be intoxicated. Whitehouse's car allegedly drove into the 7-Eleven parking lot on Aquidneck Avenue at a high rate of speed and they stumbled out of the car, said police.  

When officers arrived, Whitehouse reached into the front passenger’s side door, took out a beer bottle and emptied its contents onto the ground, according to reports. Whitehouse reportedly told police he had been at a party in Portsmouth and was on his way home to Newport, but stopped to get gas. He allegedly told officers he had three beers and four shots of gin at a friend’s house within the past two hours.  

Whitehouse allegedly failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested. At the Middletown Police station, he agreed to a chemical test which allegedly returned a blood alcohol content of .091 and .091 around 2:53 a.m.

Middletown Police Major Terry W. Hazel said the case will be handled in the same manner as any other arrest.

Police reportedly found marijuana, a glass pipe, a brass pipe, beer bottles, an empty vodka bottle, a silver flask that contained gin, a full bottle of gin and a large knife in a sheath in the car.

Whitehouse was also cited for presence of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle and for the transportation of alcohol by a minor. Bauer was also cited for underage consumption.