On Saturday, August 26, 2017 at approximately 1:00 am, a Smithfield Police Officer was working an “Operation Rhode Island Blue Riptide” DUI detail when his cruiser was struck from behind by another vehicle.
At the time of the collision, the officer was seated in his patrol vehicle and was preparing a summons for a motorist stopped for a motor vehicle violation on Douglas Pike in the area of Branch Pike. The officer’s patrol vehicle was parked to the side of the road with its emergency lights activated when it was rear-ended by a vehicle traveling north on Douglas Pike.
The motorist, identified as Derek T. Lewis, age 32, of Pascoag, Rhode Island, was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, Refusal to Submit to a Preliminary Breath Test, Expired Vehicle Registration, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Evidence of Insurance, Reasonable and Prudent Speeds and Laned Roadway Violation.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged and towed from the scene. The officer was treated for minor injuries. Lewis was not injured and was later released from police headquarters with a summons to appear in Kent County District Court on September 12, 2017.