Woonsocket man arrested for driving under the influence, striking other vehicles
By: Sarah Rooney
Email: srooney@abc6.com
Twitter: @ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Blackstone Police arrested a man Tuesday night after he allegedly drove under the influence of drugs and liquor and struck other vehicles.
According to Chief Ross A. Atstupenas, at approximately 9:45 PM on Tuesday, Blackstone Police arrived to 97 Main Street in Blackstone following reports of an automobile crash.
At the scene, law enforcement officials discovered Woonsocket resident William Halfelder, 59, and his Dodge van. Witnesses at the scene of the crash told police that Halfelder was allegedly swerving all over the road as he drove down Main Street.
According to a release sent out by Blackstone Police, Halfelder struck a vehicle stopped at a red light at the corner of Main Street and Saint Paul Street. The operator of the vehicle struck by Halfelder was transported to a nearby hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
Allegedly, Halfelder proceeded through the red light after hitting the car at the intersection of Main and Saint Paul without stopping, and began driving in the opposite lane.
He then allegedly struck another vehicle head-on shortly thereafter. This driver also incurred what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries and was sent to a local hospital.
According to preliminary investigations, Halfelder allegedly struck a number of other vehicles in Woonsocket before he proceeded to Blackstone.
Upon arriving to the scene, Blackstone Police perceived that Halfelder had been driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Police decided to administer Halfelder the anti-overdose drug, Narcan, at the location of the crash.
Halfelder has been charged with Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop or Yield, and Failure to Drive in the Right Lane.
Halfelder will appear in court for an arraignment at a later date.
An investigation is ongoing.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
