PORTSMOUTH — A 24-year-old Westerly man was arrested Monday and charged with driving while intoxicated following a head-on crash that sent both operators to the hospital.

It was the second DWI arrest for Matthew J. Poulin, of 7 Fusaro Ave., according to police.

According to Detective Lt. Michael Arnold, officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of West Main Road and Prospect Point around 5:45 p.m. Monday.

Portsmouth firefighters and the Middletown Police Department were also dispatched to the scene.

When first responders arrived, they found two vehicles in the middle of the roadway: a silver BMW operated by a Portsmouth man, and Mr. Poulin’s gray Dodge pickup truck, according to Lt. Arnold. 

Police determined that Mr. Poulin had been driving northbound on West Main Road near the town line when he saw another vehicle turning left into Prescott Point. Mr. Poulin did not have enough time to stop and veered into the southbound lane of travel, striking the BMW head on, Lt. Arnold said.

According to officers on the scene, there were indicators that Mr. Poulin may have been consuming alcohol, Lt. Arnold said. Mr. Pouline was placed under arrest, taken to a hospital due to incapacitating injuries, and later consented to further testing, he said.

The driver of the BMW was taken to the hospital as a precaution. No further information on the condition of the drivers was available.