EG Man Charged for Severely Injuring Pedestrian in DUI Crash

EAST GREENWICH, RI—A 46-year-old local man is facing felony DUI and driving to endanger charges after a horrific crash that severely injured a man who was shoveling snow in front of a Post Road business earlier this month.

Police said on Feb. 5 at around 9:31 p.m., Thomas M. Hoegen, of 14 Greenwich Blvd., East Greenwich, was drunk when he spun out of a Cumberland Farms parking lot with his pickup truck, hopped the curb in front of Nova Day Salon, struck the 64-year-old victim and crashed into the business, sending the victim through the building.

According to a police report, Hoegen tried to leave the scene but the victim’s son, who was unable to warn his father fast enough before the impact, ran to the pickup, reached through the door and grabbed the keys.

Police said Hoegen had bloodshot eyes and smelled like alcohol, later failing a field sobriety test at the scene. He registered a blood alcohol reading of .125 at the scene, according to the report.

First responders arrived at the scene in the area of 5670 Post Road to find the victim lying on the ground suffering from a broken leg, shoulder injury and possible head trauma.

His son told police that he was shoveling the walkway with his father when he saw the pickup truck come out of the parking lot next door “very fast and spinning his tires” and never saw Hoegen “let off the gas pedal.”

He said he “screamed for his father to look out, but it was too late,” according to the report.

The victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

Police said Hoegen told officers at the scene that he had one beer before leaving his house to get a pack of cigarettes.

Hoegen said he lost control of his truck while leaving the parking lot and slid on the ice and snow.

After failing the sobriety test, Hoegen was taken into custody without incident and later arraigned on charges of driving under the influence and driving to endanger, both felonies.

Police also obtained a blood sample after obtaining a warrant, according to the police report.

Hoegen is free on bail after appearing in District Court on Feb. 10 and is due to return on March 7 for an Attorney General screening conference.