Rhode Island Trooper Hit by Suspected Drunk Driver, State Police Say

Rhode Island State Police have charged a Lincoln woman with DUI, injury resulting, and driving to endanger after her car hit a parked State Police cruiser, injuring a trooper, on I-295 at about 1:45 am Tuesday.

Amber L. Martufi, 23, of 25 Central St., Manville, was scheduled for arraignment in Third District Court, Warwick, this morning.

Col. Steven G. O'Donnell said in a statement that the officer lost consciousness following the collision, but was awake before Smithfield Fire and Rescure personnel brought him to Rhode Island Hospital.

Martufi was not injured, O'Donnell said.

According to O'Donnell, Martufi "showed multiple signs of intoxication and failed a series of field sobriety tests" after the accident near the Rte. 7 overpass in Smithfield, where Rhode Island Department of Transportation crews were working.

The cruiser was parked with its emergency lights on, O'Donnell said.

State troopers obtained a search warrant for blood samples after Martufi refused to submit to a chemical test, added O'Donnell.

No information from Martufi's arraignment had been posted online by press time.