Callers Reporting Erratic Operator Lead Woonsocket Officers To DUI Arrest

Concerned callers led Woonsocket Police Officer Gabriel Koneczny to an erratic driver March 30, resulting in one Woonsocket man's arrest for DUI. 

At about 10:10 p.m., Koneczny responded to reports to the department that a green Toyota Highlander was "all over the road" in the area of South Main Street. One caller reported seeing the driver on Cumberland Street turning onto Cass Avenue traveling on the wrong side of the street.

Koneczny found the vehicle on Wood Avenue, traveling in the middle of the road, and used his cruiser's lights to pull the driver over. The Toyota pulled to the shoulder of the road but continued another 200 feet before finally coming to a stop, according to his report.

Koneczny and another officer approached the vehicle, and asked the driver, Houmpheng Prachith, 62, of 444 Wood Ave. to open his door and give him his license, registration and proof of insurance. Prachith provided the license but left out the other two documents. Koneczny reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol from Prachith's Toyota. When asked where he was coming from that night and if he'd been drinking, Prachith said he was returning from a wedding and had had two beers.

When Koneczny returned to his vehicle briefly, Prachith stepped out of his Toyota, appearing unsteady and nearly falling over several times, telling the officer he was going home. Kneczny told him he couldn't do that, and Prachith responded by taking to his knees and bowing. Then he went prone on his stomach, with his arms over his head. Koneczny asked him to get up, which he did. 

Koneczny attempted to administer a gaze and walking sobriety test, but Prachith proved unable to follow instructions on either one. He was arrested and taken to Woonsocket Police Headquarters on Clinton Street, where he subsequently failed to follow instructions to take a breathalyzer test. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. 

Woonsocket Police made two other driving under the inflence arrests between March 29 and April 2:

• On March 31 at 3:52 a.m., police arrested Michael Sone Inthisenesouk, 20, of 36 Gaulin Ave., apt. 2nd, Woonsocket, charging him with DUI, first offense at 773 Front St.

• On April 1, at 5:34 p.m., police arrested Alan Wayne Beyer, 51, of 41 Rutland St., Apt. 1, Woonsocket, charging him with DUI and driving after denial of his license at City Street Liquors, 61 Hamlet St.