Narragansett Man Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Into Tree

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A Narragansett man was arrested Sunday after drunkenly crashing into a tree in South Kingstown with three passengers in the car, according to police.

Joseph Lennon-Tierney, 29, was charged with driving under the influence of liquor or drugs (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

South Kingstown police said the crash happened around 6:28 p.m. on Pond Street. According to police Lennon-Tierney left the left travel lane and struck a tree head-on.

Police said Lennon-Tierney had three passengers. One of them was taken to the hospital with complaints of pain, according to police.

"Driving while impaired endangers the lives of your passengers and others on the road," Police Chief Matthew Moynihan said. "We’re fortunate that this crash caused only minor injuries. I hope this is a wake-up call to all parties involved; driving while impaired is the wrong decision."

Police said Lennon-Tierney admitted to officers he drank before driving. Officers also noticed he had bloodshot, watery eyes, and they could smell alcohol on his breath, police said.

Lennon-Tierney told officers he had just left a bar in Matunuck and was on his way home. He was administered a series of standard field sobriety tests and was then arrested after failing them, police said.

Lennon-Tierney is scheduled to appear in Fourth District Court in South Kingstown on Dec. 7.

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