Man charged with DUI after Portsmouth head-on crash released on bail

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — A man charged with DUI after a head-on crash in Portsmouth over the weekend appeared in Newport District Court Monday morning — formally charged with DUI resulting in serious bodily injury.

Police said they found a red Ford Explorer and Toyota pickup truck heavily damaged when they arrived at East Main Road and Sea Meadow Drive about 11 p.m. Friday.

Det. Lt. Lee Trott said 39-year-old Celio Da Silva Aleixo was driving the Ford Explorer and crossed over the yellow lines, and went head-on into another Toyota.

Trott said the driver of the Toyota was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Middletown police told ABC 6 News Monday that the victim was Lt. David Bissonette, who they said was driving into work. His condition wasn’t immediately known.

While on the scene, officers allege noticing a strong smell of alcohol coming from Da Silva Aleixo, as well as saying he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech and found an open bottle of tequila in his car.

Da Silva Aleixo was released Monday on $5,000 surety bail and had his license temporarily suspended. He’ll also have to undergo an alcohol use evaluation before his next court date, which was set for May 25.

Da Silva Aleixo, of Portsmouth, was charged with DUI resulting in serious bodily injury and refusal to submit to a chemical test.