Two DUI Arrests in Newport Last Weekend

NEWPORT, RI—Newport police charged two people with driving under the influence over the weekend, including a 25-year-old city man who struck a car on Wellington Avenue and later crashed into a utility pole before ending up in a muddy ditch in front of 20 Brenton Road.

Luis Armando Munoz Esquite, of 17 Caleb Earl St., Newport, also is not legally licensed to drive in Rhode Island and was not insured, according to a police report, telling police that he had just an ID card from Guatemala.

Police said they were dispatched to the area of Brenton and Wickham roads at around 1:27 a.m. early Saturday morning for a report of a crash.

Esquite, according to the report, was standing by his heavily damaged car when police arrived. Though he was not hurt, he showed several signs of intoxication, including a "staggered gait" and the smell of alcohol on his breath.

Esquite reportedly told police that he had a few beers before getting behind the wheel. He also denied hitting the car on Wellington Avenue. Before the crash, he said, he was driving south on Brenton Road but was going too fast.

He later failed a field sobriety test and was arrested for driving drunk. Along with the DUI charge, he was charged with refusing a chemical test, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license and driving without proof of insurance.

He was later released with a June 25 court date.

About two hours later, Newport police arrested a 20-year-old city man for driving drunk after he allegedly committed a number of traffic violations in view of an officer on patrol at around 3:25 a.m.

According to a police report, Timothy E. Lynch, 20, of 67 Eastnor Road, Newport, was seen driving with his left turn signal activated for several blocks through several intersections before veering into the oncoming lane of travel twice on Gibbs Avenue.

Once stopped, Lynch reportedly showed signs of intoxication. Police also observed bits and pieces of marijuana throughout his vehicle; Lynch said he and a passenger were driving around while smoking.

Lynch failed a field sobriety test and was later released on Saturday morning on $1,000 personal recognizance. He is due to return to court on Thursday for arraignment.