Police Charge Driver Crossing Center Line on Park Ave. with DUI

Woonsocket Police Officer James Dybala was patrolling Park Avenue On April 25, at about 4:25 a.m., listening to North Smithfield Police radio when he heard a call for an erratic driver in a black SUV turning down the avenue toward him.

Dybala located the vehicle and followed it, observing as it traveled toward downtown Woonsocket, crossing the center line three times, according to his report. Dybala pulled the SUV over, but the driver stopped the vehicle in the center of the lane instead of to the side. As Dybala got out of his cruiser to approach the SUV, it pulled over to the side a little more, but remained in the lane, blocking traffic.

A second officer arrived to assist as Dybala approached and spoke with the driver, Nang Dethosuvanh, 52, of 148 Providence St., Woonsocket, observing she had severely bloodshot eyes. The officer asked her to roll down her window, which took her several moments to accomplish. During the conversation, Dybala could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from Dethosuvanh. 

Dybala asked for her liscense, proof of insurance and drivers license. Dethosuvanh offered several cards, none of which were the documents requested. She also failed to follow directions for the vision, walk and turne and one-leg stand tests. 

When asked if she'd been drinking, Dethosuvanh said she hadn't, and had been driving to her home on Providence Street, according to Dybala's report. Dybala noted she was traveling in the opposite direction of Providence Street. 

Dybala arrested Dethosuvanh and took her back to Woonsocket Police Headquarters for processing and a blood alcohol test. At the station, she said she had been drinking a the Lower Level bar. She was not able to tell Dybala where she had been after the bar had closed at 1 a.m. 

Dethosuvanh's blood alcohol test results were .223 and .221. She was charged with driving under the influence, second offense. .15 or greater (the first having occurred in 2009). She was also cited for operating left of center.