Wrong-Way Driver that Killed Jamestown Patrolman was Drunk

COVENTRY, RI—The wrong-way driver who crashed into and killed Coventry resident and Jamestown Patrolman Ryan J. Borque just after midnight on May 23 was drunk, according to a toxicology report by the state Medical Examiner's Office.

Dejae T. Pizarro, 23, of Bedford, MA, had a blood alcohol content of .195 at the time of the crash—more than double the Rhode Island legal limit of .08. He also died as a result of the collision, which happened at around 12:07 a.m. on Interstate 95 in the southbound lanes in East Greenwich.

Bourque was just coming home from his shift that ended at 11 p.m. in Jamestown and was driving back home when Pizarro crashed into Bourque's Dodge Charger head-on about 500 feetnorth of Exit 7. Pizarro made a U-turn on the highway for an unknown reason.

Bourque had just reached his one-year anniversary with the Jamestown Police Department. He is a graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School and went on to study at the University of Rhode Island.

In a statement, the Jamestown Police Department said that Bourque "completed his one year of service with our department on the date of the accident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and brother and sister officers," the statement read.

Bourque's family wrote an open letter to the community thanking everyone for their condolences and prayers. They said that the Jamestown Police Department and Bourque's extended law enforcement family offered "unwavering presence and guidance" as they mourned.

"Ryan will be missed forever. He will endure in the hearts and minds of all who knew him," said Gary and Lee Bourque.

Bourque attended the Rhode Island Police Academy and graduated in 2015 before joining the Jamestown Police Department. He had many talents and interests. A musician, he played guitar and wrote songs. He enjoyed ice hockey, weight lifting and water sports on Johnson’s Pond.