By Chris Sheppard
csheppard@abc6.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/abc6
BURRILLVILLE, R.I. - A Burrillville police officer narrowly escaped being struck by a drunk driver early Sunday morning.
Police say if his partner had not alerted him to the oncoming vehicle, the chances of his survival would have been slim to none.
The incident happened around 2:50 a.m. Sunday morning. According to Burrillville police, officers Kyle Genereux and Henry Yakey were assisting a motorist with a broken-down vehicle on Route 102 near Broncos Crossing.
The two were standing outside their police cruisers when a speeding car approached them. Police say Officer Genereux saw the vehicle and yelled for Yakey to get out of the way.
It was at that point, police say, that the car came within inches of striking the officer and sped off.
Police say they caught up with the vehicle about a mile up the road and apprehended Christopher Gaynor, 42, of Pawtucket. Police say they quickly determined the man was intoxicated, but he refused a chemical sobriety test.
Gaynor was arrested and charged with DUI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, laned roadway violation and preliminary breath test refusal, according to police.
Police say Gaynor has been released as of late Sunday morning. He will be arraigned sometime in the middle of August.
