Crime & Safety

Alleged Drunk Man Hits Police Cruiser And Flees From Scene

The arrest was reported by the Newport Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

Michael Rodrigues, 23, of 755 Wapping, Portsmouth, was arrested on Saturday around 1:41 a.m. after he allegedly hit a police cruiser and fled the scene. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, resisting arrest, driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a chemical test.  

After he hit the cruiser, he allegedly turned onto Church Street then drove the wrong way up Thames Street. A witness said pedestrians had to run to avoid being hit. Police saw a severely damaged car driving the wrong way up Second Street and stopped him. The officer drew a gun and ordered him to the ground.  

From the ground, Rodrigues allegedly asked “what did I do?” Police said he smelled of alcohol and agreed to take the field sobriety tests, which he failed.  

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In the cruiser he allegedly asked again what he did wrong. When the arresting officer told him he hit a police cruiser, Rodrigues allegedly began to cry.

“I only smoked some weed, to be honest you guys will see me driving all the time, but it’s only weed,” he allegedly explained. 


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