Man Crashes Into Warwick Police Cruisers After Fleeing Traffic Stop - Arrested for DUI

Man Crashes Into Warwick Police Cruisers After Fleeing Traffic Stop - Arrested for DUI

A traffic stop in Warwick on Thursday led to a police chase in the city that spilled over onto the highway - and ended in Cranston. 

Police said during the pursuit, the vehicle operator crashed into two police vehicles; the suspect is facing multiple charges. 

 

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About Incident 

According to Warwick Police, at approximately 2:10 PM on Thursday, a Warwick Police officer attempted to stop a vehicle after  "observing it being operated erratically."

The operator, later identified as Roberto Lopez, a 45-year-old male from Central Falls, failed to stop, said police.

Police say he then led officers on a pursuit along Post Road, Jefferson Boulevard, and ultimately onto Route 95 North. During the chase, the vehicle lost two tires and subsequently lost control, colliding with two marked Warwick Police cruisers, said police. 

Lopez then fled the vehicle on foot, jumping a fence onto Wellington Avenue in Cranston, where he was taken into custody.

There were no injuries reported. 

Police announced that Lopez is being charged with DUI of liquor (BAC unknown), eluding law enforcement, two counts of failure to  stop for an accident resulting in damage to an attended vehicle, driving without a license (4th or subsequent offense), and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty. 

He is also wanted on an extraditable warrant out of Maine for carrying a prohibited weapon.