Wrong-Way Snowplow Operator Arrested for Driving Under Influence

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.

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