SOUTH KINGSTOWN — South Kingstown Police Department reported the arrest of three individuals for driving under the influence (DUI) on Aug. 21, following separate incidents including one that involved a collision with an apartment building.
Chief of Police Matthew C. Moynihan expressed concern over the number of arrests in a single day, which he described as “very alarming,” particularly as one occurred before noon.
Moynihan reiterated the department’s stance against impaired driving, urging the community to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis and to report any suspected impaired drivers to 911.
The first arrest occurred at 11:13 a.m. when officers pulled over Travis Pease, 55, of Carolina, R.I., on Ministerial Road for speeding.
Pease had open containers of alcohol in his vehicle and was unable to pass field sobriety tests.
He was charged with DUI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, speeding, and operating a motor vehicle with the presence of alcohol.
Pease was arraigned in Washington County District Court and released on personal recognizance bail.
Later that day, at 5:56 p.m., police responded to a report of a vehicle crashing into a building at 31 Grand Isle Drive.
The driver, Thomas Ashley, 36, who resides in the apartment complex, showed signs of impairment, refused field sobriety and chemical tests, and was charged with DUI and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
An inspection of the building revealed minor structural damage.
Ashley was arraigned and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 29.
The third incident took place at 10:31 p.m. when officers observed Michael Comire, 58, of South Kingstown, speeding on Kingstown Road.
After admitting to drinking alcohol and failing sobriety tests, Comire was charged with DUI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and speeding.
He was arraigned and is expected in court on Sept. 5.
