Wrong-Way Snowplow Operator Arrested for Driving Under Influence

1/28/2015

Snow plow operator John J. Cunha, age 55, of 232 Partition Street, Warwick was arrested Tuesday for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs-1st offense, Blood Alcohol Content unknown and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test.

At approximately 8:30 PM a trooper was traveling east on Route 403 in North Kingstown when he observed a vehicle traveling west in the east bound lanes approaching. The trooper stopped the vehicle, a Dodge Ram pickup truck equipped with a snow plow, as it approached. The vehicle was not being used to plow snow when it was stopped, nor was it a Rhode Island Department of Transportation sub–contractor. When contact was made with Cunha, troopers noted several indicators associated with intoxication. Cunha submitted to a series of field sobriety tests which he failed. He then refused to submit to a Preliminary Breath Test. Cunha was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs.

Cunha was transported to the Wickford Barracks where he refused to submit to a chemical breath test. He was then processed and arraigned by a Justice of the Peace on the the charge of 1. Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor - BAC Unknown. Cunha was released on $1,000 Personal Recognizance will appear at 3rd Division District Court in Kent County on Monday, February 2, 2015.

A person convicted of Driving Under the Influence – First Offense when their blood-alcohol content is not known may be subject to:

A fine of not less than one hundred ($100) dollars, nor more than four hundred dollars ($400).
Ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution and/or imprisonment for up to one year.
Driving license suspension for a period of three (3) months to twelve (12) months.
Mandatory attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcoholic or drug treatment for the individual.
The sentencing judge or magistrate may prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8.