Lt. Dennis Paul was stopped at a traffic light on Douglas Pike July 4 at 1 a.m. when he spotted a green 2002 Nissan Quest van with a blown drivers side headlight go through the intersection - slowly.
Paul followed the car as it continued north on George Washington Highway in the southbound lane, observing it swerve and straddle the road's double lines for several hundred feet. He activated his emergency lights and pulled the driver over, according to his report.
The driver, Jeffrey Freitas, 52, of 10 Ormond Dr., East Providence, said he had just hit a deer "somewhere", according to Paul's report. Paul continued to question Freitas, learning he had been drinking at The Last Resort and had struck the deer shortly after leaving the bar.
Paul noted heavy damage to Freitas' car's front end driver's side, including the hood and front quarter. He also noted a strong odor of alcohol from Freitas, blood shot eyes and slurred speech.
Paul called for another officer to tend to Paul while he investigated the alleged dead deer. The deer was confirmed deceased 100 feet south of John Mowry Road, about one mile south of where Paul had stopped Freitas. The deer was just off the road on the south side of George Washington Highway.
Based on broken headlight glass, plastic and fur from the impact, Paul determined that the impact had occurred in the southbound lane.
Freitas was arrested and charged with DUI.
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