A Rhode Island man who was driving with a suspended license is now facing drunk driving charges after he allegedly struck a state police cruiser that was stopped in the breakdown lane of Interstate 95.
State police say the trooper was in his marked cruiser during a traffic stop late Saturday night on I-95 in Warwick, when Alfredo Falcon-Benitez struck the back of the cruiser, pushing it into the stopped vehicle.
Police said thankfully the trooper and other operators were not seriously injured.
Falcon-Benitez, 41, of Central Falls, subsequently failed all field sobriety tests administered on scene and he was taken to state police headquarters where he refused to provide a breath sample, police said.
He was held overnight and arraigned Sunday for driving under the influence of liquor/refusal (first offense), driving to endanger, and operating on a suspended license.
Falcon-Benitez was held on surety bail and taken to the adult correctional institutions pending a bail review hearing this week.
State police said they were thankful to have avoided a tragedy but wanted to remind all drivers not to drink and drive. They also reminded drivers it's the law to slow down and move over when you approach emergency vehicles.
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"This is yet another reminder, especially at this time of the year, of the potential tragedy that can occur by deciding to drink and drive," Col. James Manni said in a statement. "The State Police remain focused on removing impaired operators from the roadways."
Motorists are encouraged to contact 911 to report any vehicle being operated erratically, state police said.
