A Roger Williams University student was arrested early Friday morning, after allegedly driving his pickup truck into two pedestrians who were crossing the street at the intersection of Bourne and …
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A Roger Williams University student was arrested early Friday morning, Feb. 2, after allegedly driving his pickup truck into two pedestrians who were crossing the street at the intersection of Bourne and High streets.
According to responding officers, they arrived at the scene shortly after 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, to find a brown pickup with Connecticut license plates stopped in the middle of the Bourne Street crosswalk. There were several men standing nearby. Two witnesses pointed officers to the driver and said they had taken his keys.
As they investigated the scene, Michael Shea, 20, of Trumbull, Conn., admitted to officers that he had been driving the truck, took the corner from High Street onto Bourne Street “fast,” and struck the two men who were in the crosswalk. He told officers he stopped immediately and stayed at the scene.
Officers said they could smell alcohol on his breath, but he denied that he had been drinking. Mr. Shea allegedly told officers that he had been at his friends’ house and they had been drinking. According to Patrolman Michael Kelly, Mr. Shea’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and he was visibly shaking. Patrolman Kelly said the suspect repeatedly told him, “I’m a criminal justice major.”
According to police reports, Mr. Shea failed a field sobriety test, before refusing to take a chemical test.
Both of the men struck by the truck were injured, though injuries did not seem to be serious. One was cut and bleeding on his face, knee, shoulder and hands. He was evaluated by Bristol Rescue and transported to Rhode Island Hospital. The second man had injuries to his left hip and elbow. He initially refused transport to the hospital, but called for rescue about an hour later and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital.
Mr. Shea was taken to the station and charged with DUI and refusal to submit to a chemical test.