State Police Arrest 22 DUI Suspects During St. Patrick's Day Weekend

Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of Public Safety, announces that as a result of continued efforts to make RI highways safer, members of the Rhode Island State Police arrested 22 subjects for Driving While Intoxicated (DUI) during the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, including a 22-year-old operator with a two-month old infant in the vehicle.

The following is a list of subjects, who were arrested and their pending charges:

Michael Santos, 42, of 32 Noella Avenue, Coventry, RI 

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .214, Phase II .210)

David N. Nelsson, 32, of 19 Urquhart Street, West Warwick, RI

• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs(BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Stacy Mancyak, age 35, of 54 Clearview Drive, Richmond, RI

• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs(BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Nicholas Salvatore, 27, of 3642A Tower Hill Road, South Kingstown, RI

• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs(BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Abby Svenson, 28, of 825 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .150, Phase II .146)

Derrick Perrin, 21, of 160 Fenner Hill, Hope Valley, RI

• Driving Under the Influence(Phase I .259, Phase II .263)

Joel Vega, 33, of 3 Belknap Street, Dedham, MA

• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs(BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Jason Goddard, 27 of 103 Arthur Street, Pawtucket, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .213, Phase II .205)
• Driving Without a License

Juan Mendez, 55, 101 Reservoir Avenue, Pawtucket, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .256, Phase II .271)
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident-Property Damage Attended Vehicle

Peter Fortune, 37, of 944 Lorimer Avenue, Providence, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .193, Phase II .178)

Robert W. Sullivan, 55, of 19 Tappan Street, Providence, RI

• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs(BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test
• Assault on a Police Officer
• Resisting Arrest
• Obstruction of an Officer in the Execution of their Duty
• Disorderly Conduct

Adam Fontaine, 27, of 213 Vine, Pawtucket, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .205, Phase II .220)

Michael Woods, 26, of 84 Pavilion Avenue, Rumford, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Crystle Pierel, 26, of 41 Thomas Street, Woonsocket, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Michael McGuill, 51, of 677 New Boston Road, Fall River, MA

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Melanie Bessette, 21, of 170 Angell Road, Lincoln, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Richard Vargas, 31, of 44 Samuel Avenue in Pawtucket, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Brent Grayson, 24, of 216 Dulude Avenue Woonsocket, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test
• Operating on a Suspended License

Robert Rickey, 34, of 1046 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .164, Phase II .164)

Henry Deleon, 34, of 560 Western Avenue, Lynn, MA

• Driving Under the Influence (Phase I .184 Phase II .183

William Henderson, 45, of 4 Park Avenue, Harrisville, RI

• Driving Under the Influence. (Phase I .325, Phase II .331)

Orlando Lopez, 22, of 220 Hamilton Street Providence, RI

• Driving Under the Influence (BAC Unknown)
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test

Troopers were on patrol on Route 146 South in the Town of North Smithfield when they observed a silver BMW bearing a Rhode Island registration operating erratically. Troopers stopped the vehicle on Route 146 South near Sayles Hill Rd., where they approached the vehicle and noticed that the windows were down and the occupants were smoking inside the vehicle with a small infant in a child seat, covered with a blanket. 

The operator was identified as Orlando Lopez, 22, of 220 Hamilton St., Providence, RI. Also in the vehicle were two other adults, including the infant’s mother. Lopez was taken into custody for suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated and transported to the Lincoln Woods Barracks. He refused to submit to a chemical test and was held overnight pending an arraignment at Sixth Division District Court this morning. The vehicle was driven from the scene by a passenger, who was not impaired.

The Rhode Island State Police will continue to aggressively enforce the motor vehicle laws with increased emphasis on speeding, driving while impaired, aggressive driving, texting violations, seatbelt and child restraint violations. We believe that by continuing these enforcement efforts, it makes the highways safe for all travelers. 

Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell stated, “I commend our Troopers’ efforts over the weekend, and we can measure, at the minimum, twenty-two people were prevented from killing or injuring themselves and an unknown amount of innocent people.”  Driving while impaired with an infant inside the vehicle is reckless behavior, and we are working with the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly to enhance the penalties for those who put children in peril.” 

Motorists are reminded that they can immediately report dangerous drivers or hazardous roadway conditions to the police by dialing 911 or *77 on your cell phone.