Drunk driver damages 41 cars in Providence

February 27, 2019 4:10 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Dozens of people are left with thousands of dollars worth of damage to their cars after a man driving drunk wreaked havoc on several streets in South Providence.

One person is looking at $10,000 worth of damage to his car and he’s not alone. Christopher Paolissi hit 41 cars when driving drunk down several streets.

George Hartson couldn’t believe his eyes when he came home Tuesday evening and found his car had been hit right outside his house.

“I was beside myself. It was one of those unlucky moments,” says Hartson.

Unlucky moments for 40 other people parked around Elmwood Avenue, too. Christopher Paolissi faced a judge Wednesday morning, arrested Tuesday afternoon for driving drunk in broad daylight and hitting the parked cars.

“It looked like a battle zone almost, there’s debris all over the road,” says Hartson.

The price tag to fix Hartson’s car is high.

“I own my own landscaping business and of course the winter months are slow so I’m anxious to get back to work and generate some money so we continue making payments on the car,” he says.

Paolissi was only going about 15 miles per hour and luckily no one was hurt. Bail was set at $7,500 and the judge ordered he take an alcohol abuse assessment.

“I don’t wish him any ill feelings, I just hope he gets some help. For him to do this is beyond me, it’s obviously someone who needs some help,” says Hartson.