Woonsocket Police Arrest Woman for DUI After She Backs Into Utility Pole

On May 19 at about 1:27 a.m., Woonsocket Police Officer Jason Berthelette was called to Piedmont Street to assist with a motor vehicle accident involving a  a gray 2010 Toyota running into a utility pole.

When Berthelette arrived, he spoke with the driver of the car, Brittany J. Bongo, 23, of Mansfield, MA. The woman said she was backing out of a parking spot when she struck the pole. She said she was in the city with a friend at a bar. She said the accident was caused because she is "not good at reversing" according to Berthelette's report.

While speaking with Bongo, Berthelette reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. He also noted Bongo had bloodshot eyes and slurred her speech. Bongo also disclosed that she had had a Long Island Iced Tea about 45 minutes prior to getting into her car.

Berthelette asked her to step from the car for a series of field sobriety tests. As Bongo got out, the officer noticed she was barefoot, which, the woman said, was because it, "isn't easy driving in heels."

Bongo showed signs of impairment during the vision test, swaying noticeably during the test, Berthelette reported. She also failed the walk and turn, using her hands for balance, failing to touch heel to toe, stepping out of line and making an improper turn. She also failed the one-leg stand, according to the officer's report.

Bongo consented to a preliminary breath test, registering a result of .119. At the station, two additional breath tests yielded a .121 and .120, respectively. Berthelette charged her with driving under the influence of alcohol.