By Tiffany Williams –
Rhode Island State Police were busy this weekend hauling in drunk drivers across the state — four separate busts in less than 12 hours, each involving motorists accused of being wasted behind the wheel.
The first arrest came Friday evening just before 6 p.m. when troopers say Christopher Levesque, 36, of Fall River, Massachusetts, slammed his car in a crash on I-95 North in Providence. Investigators say Levesque’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, clocking in at .174 on the first test and .172 on the second. He was charged with driving under the influence and driving to endanger resulting in physical injury. Levesque was processed at the Lincoln Woods Barracks, arraigned, and cut loose pending a court date in the Sixth Division District Court.
Just hours later, around 9:20 p.m., troopers pulled over Prince Dyante, 42, of Central Falls, on Broad Street. Cops say Dyante appeared drunk but refused a chemical test. He was charged with DUI and refusal to submit to a chemical test, processed at Lincoln Woods, and released after arraignment.
Then came the overnight crowd. At 2:43 a.m. Saturday, troopers stopped Devan Guilbault, 30, of Providence, on I-95 in Cranston. His blood alcohol levels tested at .088 and .094 — just over the legal limit. He was charged with DUI, booked at Lincoln Woods, and held overnight as a bail violator.
Barely half an hour later, at 3:16 a.m., troopers spotted another suspected drunk driver barreling down Route 146 in Providence. Police say Braulio Merette, 20, of Brockton, Massachusetts, showed signs of intoxication and also refused a chemical test. He was charged with DUI and refusal to submit, arraigned, and released pending a future court date.