Driver Sideswipes Smithfield Police Cruiser, Charged with DUI

Smithfield Police arrested a Providence driver on Putnam Pike early Monday morning, charging him with DUI after the man sideswiped a police cruiser and continued before officers stopped him. 

Police arrested Brandon Rourke, age 29, of 3 Lee Street, Providence, charging him with DUI, Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, and Duty to Stop Resulting in Personal Injury at approximately 12:50 a.m. June 24.

Rourke had been travelling eastbound on Putnam Pike when he sideswiped the Smithfield cruiser stopped at a road construction site. Inside the cruiser was the patrol shift supervisor. The vehicle’s emergency lights were activated.

Rourke continued eastbound before being stopped by police. Rourke displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol and was asked to perform several field sobriety tests. At the completion of these tests, Rourke was taken into custody and brought back to Smithfield Police Headquarters at 215 Pleasant View Ave., where he refused to submit to a chemical test.

Rourke is scheduled to appear in Third District Court on July 9 to answer the charges. The Smithfield patrol supervisor was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, treated for a knee injury and released.