Priest placed on leave after being charged with DUI

July 15, 2019 12:52 am

By News Staff

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WARWICK, R.I (WLNE)- A Coventry priest is charged with DUI after hitting a pedestrian with his vehicle on Airport Road in Warwick, around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night, according to police.

The victim was not walking on a crosswalk at the time of the collision and was reported to be crossing from the south side of Airport Rd. to the north side in the area of the Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The victim, identified by police as 38-year-old Johnathan Freeman of Warwick, was conscious but suffered from an apparent extremity injury. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he remains in stable condition.

The driver, now identified as Jacek Ploch, was charged with DUI according to the police.

Ploch served as a pastor for both St. Vincent de Paul and Our Lady of Czenstochowa, both parishes in the Coventry Area.

The Diocese of Providence said their “thoughts and prayers go first of all to the victim of the accident on Airport Road. We pray for a full and speedy recovery.”

The Diocese also stated “while Father Jacek Ploch has served this diocese and his parishes well, spiritual leaders must always strive to set a good example for others. Whenever a priest is involved in an unfortunate situation like this, he is subject to the consequences of civil law, and potentially to canonical sanctions as well.”

Local Catholics like Melissa Lyons are outraged by Ploch’s actions.

“I think it’s a disgrace. You stand for a church that stands for morals yet you seem to have none,” Lyons said. ” “Definitely not participate in any kind of preaching or service considering that his actions can’t back up what he’s preaching”

Will Powers agrees with Lyons, saying it sets a poor example for the community.

“Does not set a good example for the church for the community he lives in. Clergy were something we looked up to when we were younger,” Powers said. “You can’t have anyone driving drunk; priest or no priest.”

The Diocese of Providence has placed Ploch on administrative leave.

Ploch is not allowed to minister as a priest while on administrative leave.

Arrangements are being made for Ploch’s replacement at the two parishes, according to the Diocese of Providence.

Ploch is due back in court on August 8th.

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Email: BTaylor@ABC6.com

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WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE): A pedestrian was hospitalized after he was hit by a car on Airport Road in Warwick, around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night, according to police.

Police charged the driver, who has now been identified as Jacek Ploch, with driving under the influence.

The pedestrian was not walking on a crosswalk at the time of the collision and was reported to be crossing from the south side of Airport Rd. to the north side in the area of the Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The male was conscious but suffered from an apparent extremity injury, according to police. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he is in stable condition.

Anyone with more information is asked to call the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division: (401)-468-4293.