Repeat DUI offender faces new charges in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — The Portsmouth Police Department said a repeat DUI offender was arrested after he was allegedly found to be driving under the influence on June 23.

64-year-old Stephen Reise, of Portsmouth, was charged with driving under the influence of liquor .15 or greater, refusal to submit a preliminary breath test, possession of an alcoholic beverage while operating a vehicle, and operation with metal tires prohibited.

On June 23, officers were sent to West Main Road just before 3:30 p.m. for a report of a vehicle driving on a flat tire.

During that response, officers were notified of a motor vehicle crash on Donna Drive, and located the vehicle from the initial response on the scene.

Police identified the driver as Reise, and allegedly observed he had signs of  alcohol impairment, including “red and glassy eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol,” police said.

Police said Reise allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol, and took a field sobriety test, which he allegedly failed.

Reise was arrested and taken to Portsmouth headquarters, where he took a chemical breath test.

Police allege Reise “provided breathalyzer readings of .269% and 264%” blood alcohol level, which is over three times the legal limit.

The defendant was arraigned and released on $10,000 bail, in which he is prohibited from driving a vehicle “until further court order.”

Court records show Reise pled no contest in 2000 to charges of DUI resulting in death stemming from a crash in 1999.