Crime & Safety

Police Make 2 Arrests After Hit and Run Accident

The following arrests were reported by the Newport Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

Two Jamestown men were arrested after they allegedly hit a parked car on Broadway around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and fled the scene.

Matthew Knudsen, 31, of 36 Green Lane, Jamestown, was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. He was also charged with refusal to submit to a chemical test and for driving with an expired license. William Cregan, 31, of 95 Howland Ave Apt #A, was charged with obstructing an officer in the execution of duty and resisting arrest.

An officer allegedly observed Knudsen hit a parked car on Broadway, then drive the wrong way up Collins, which is a one-way street. Police found him traveling onto the ramp from Connell Highway to the Newport Bridge. Police said he was driving about 10 miles per hour and did not stop despite the fact that lights and sirens were “blaring repeatedly.”

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Once stopped, the officers told the men to put their hands on the dashboard, but Cregan allegedly refused and swore at officers. Police said the passenger door was damaged from the accident so they had to force it open and remove Cregan by force.

Police said Knudsen’s speech was slurred and his words were incomprehensible.

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At the station he reportedly said, "All I did was sideswipe a car, dude.”



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