When East Providence Patrolman Ryan Vose arrived at Warren Avenue near Lyon Avenue for a report of a car crash Oct. 18 at 2:33 p.m., he found the driver of the Red Dodge Durango that had just struck several vehicles standing nearby on the sidewalk, his mouth filled with breath mints.
Nearby, the Durango was stopped on the right shoulder of Lyon Avenue, showing heavy front-end damage to the front passenger side, with the front wheel nearly broken off.
Vose spoke with the driver, Robert Michael Miller, 57, of 358 Weaver Hill Road, Coventry, who told him he had attempted to pick up his phone and struck a white car. A fellow officer informed Vose that Miller had in fact struck several vehicles on Warren Avenue while traveling east.
Miller slurred his words, according to Vose's report, and displayed watery and bloodshot eyes, and appeared unsteady on his feet.
Vose administered a field sobriety test, which Miller failed, showing a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, told the officer "This test ain't happening," after failing the walk and turn, and used two feet during the one-leg stand.
Miller's truck was towed from the scene, and Miller was taken to police headquarters, where he refused to submit to a chemical test. He was charged with DUI and cited for refusing the test.
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