Alleged Drunk Driver Returns To Restaurant Bar

Newport police made the following arrests recently. 

Elizabeth Earl Highley, 56, of 8 Champlin St., Newport, was arrested on Dec. 18 at 3:01 p.m. Police responded to the area near the Black Pearl Restaurant for a report of an intoxicated woman who may be driving. A vehicle had just left after backing into the building at the bottom of Bannister Wharf. Not long after, the vehicle returned and was found parked near the Black Pearl Restaurant. Police saw the driver's side right tail light was broken. Police later spotted Highley exiting the Black Pearl. They saw she was unsteady on her feet and had bloodshot eyes. She refused a field sobriety test and was arrested. She was charged with driving under the influence, first offense.

Rian P. McCarthy, 20, of 11 Willow St., Apt. 1, Newport, was arrested on Dec. 19 at 1:23 a.m. after a motor vehicle stop on Young Street. Police say they observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Young Street. Police later stopped the vehicle and observed the driver had bloodshot eyes. The driver, identified as McCarthy, told police he had two to three beers earlier. After McCarthy agreed to walk home, police released him with a court summons. He was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor.