Central Falls Man Charged With DUI After Hitting RI State Trooper

WARWICK, RI — A Central Falls man is facing charges after hitting a state police cruiser over the weekend. Alfredo Falcon-Benitez, 41, was charged with drunken driving and ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston.

The crash happened on Interstate 95 South in Warwick Saturday night. The trooper involved was pulled over for a traffic stop when Falcon-Benitez rear-ended the cruiser, pushing it into the stopped vehicle in front of it.

Falcon-Benitez failed all field sobriety tests at the scene, and refused to consent to a breathalyzer at state police headquarters. He was held overnight and arraigned by a justice of the peace on charges of driving under the influence — first offense, driving to endanger and driving with a suspended license. He was ordered held at the ACI pending a bail review later this week.

"I am thankful that the Trooper and other motorist involved were not seriously injured," Col. Jame Manni said. "This is yet another reminder, especially at this time of the year, of the potential tragedy that can occur by deciding to drink and drive. The State Police remain focused on removing impaired operators from the roadways."