Rhode Island State Police Arrest Wrong-Way Driver for Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Driving

Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of Public Safety, announces that on Sunday, July 12th 2015, Brian S. Rutter, age 39, of 17 Pennsylvania Ave. West Warwick, Rhode Island was arrested for alleged Driving Under the Influence of Liquor and Reckless Driving after being stopped traveling the wrong way on Route 95 in the City of Warwick.

On Sunday, July 12th, 2015 at 1:42 AM, the Lincoln Woods Barracks received a call reporting a silver Hyundai Elantra, traveling south in the northbound lanes on Route 95 in the City of Providence. Troopers traveling south in the southbound lanes observed the vehicle as it entered the City of Warwick, traveling south in the northbound high speed lane. In order to attempt to gain the operator's attention and warn alert other motorist of the problem, Troopers activated their overhead emergency lights, siren and spot light. The operator ignored the troopers' efforts and continued to travel southbound. The Hyundai Elantra continued to a point south of Jefferson Boulevard where troopers responding from the south were able to force the vehicle to stop in the median off the high speed northbound lane. Upon stopping the Hyundai Elantra, the operator, who was identified as Brian S. Rutter, displayed signs of intoxication. Rutter failed a series of standardized field sobriety tests. He was taken into custody and transported to the Wickford Barracks where he submitted to a breath test, which he failed.

Brian Rutter was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace at the Wickford Barracks on the following charges:


1. Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs 1st Offense BAC .15 or Greater
2. Reckless Driving

Bail was set at $1,000.00 Personal Recognizance. He is scheduled for a re-arraignment in 3rd District Court on July 20st, 2015.

Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell stated, "If it was not for the 911 calls from responsible citizens and the quick response and actions taken by our troopers, this situation certainly would have ended much differently. I want to thank and commend the callers and the troopers whose intervention prevented another senseless tragedy!"

A person convicted of Driving Under the Influence-First Offense (BAC .08 - .15) would be subject to a fine of five hundred ($500) and shall be required to perform twenty (20) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution and/or shall be imprisoned for up to one year. The person's driving license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months to eighteen (18) months. The person convicted shall also be required to attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcoholic or drug treatment for the individual.

A person convicted of Reckless Driving shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the first conviction and a felony for the second and each subsequent conviction.

Motorists are encouraged to report an impaired, reckless or aggressive drivers by calling 911 or *77 from their mobile phone.