State police release details of Rep. Sullivan arrest
6:51 PM Thu, Apr 23, 2009 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state police have released new details in the arrest of state Rep. Raymond J. Sullivan Jr., D-Coventry, for drunken driving. A state police cruiser parked on the right shoulder of Route 95 North saw Sullivan's gold-colored Ford Explorer drive past, partially in the breakdown lane, at 1:08 a.m. on Tuesday, according to a police report. After seeing the car swerve a few more times, the troopers pulled over Sullivan, who dropped his license when trying to retrieve it from his wallet, slurred his speech, and had "extremely blood shot and glassy" eyes. When asked where he was traveling from, Sullivan responded Providence, although he was driving toward Providence. Sullivan told the police he had had two drinks, according to the report. When asked to recite the alphabet, he got as far "p" before having trouble, ending with "r, t, x, r, z." After being arrested and having his car impounded, he was brought to the Wickford barracks of the sate police, where he was allowed to call his attorney on his cell phone after being placed in a holding room. After talking to his attorney, Sullivan voluntarily took the breath test at 2:02 a.m. and registered .178. The legal limit is .08. In a second test at 2:05 a.m., he registered .179. At 2:53 a.m., Sullivan's attorney, Rep. J. Patrick O'Neill, D-Pawtucket, arrived at the barracks. And at 3:25 a.m., a bail commissioner arrived, arraigning Sullivan on "one count of DWI," before releasing him on personal recognizance. Sullivan's next court date has been scheduled for District Court on May 4. He was also issued traffic citations for leaving the lane of travel, operating without evidence of insurance, and operating without evidence of registration. Sullivan, who attended Thursday's legislative session, refused to comment on the details of his arrest because his attorney hadn't yet seen the police report. "Until my attorney formally receives a response to my request for a police report, it's not appropriate to comment further," he said. Wednesday, a spokesman for Sullivan issued this statement: "I plan to address the circumstances related to last night in the appropriate venue, which is the judiciary. I want to express my sincere respect for both the Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island's judicial system. As this is a pending matter before the courts, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time." Extra: Read the R.I. State Police arrest report 
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Wow , a half hour to get the bail commissioner there ???? Man , that is some speedy service. Was a wonder he didn't spend hours in a smelly cell until morning to make bail. What a joke , oh that's right the joke is on us , the ordinary Rhode Island citizen. We are all saps for taking this shabby treatment from the state house.
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Unbelievable...
That's what you are...
Unbelievable...
You drove your car...
What's the deal with you, it seems to me
You would know the law, yet shamefully
You had one more, you doubled the .08 score...
Ooooh unbelievable,
In every way...
And in weeks ahead, somehow you'll pay
That's why darling, it's inconceivable,
That someone so unbelievable,
Gets behind a steering wheel to go
bye-bye
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Legislators are supposed to be setting the example for the people he represents. What message is he sending?
It will be interesting to see if he receives the same treatment by the courts as an ordinary citizen.
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Well, I'm happy to see that he didn't bash the State Police. Many others in his situation place the blame on the police. So far, he is doing the right thing...
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OK just to set the record straight - a leading legislator gets caught driving while hammered, calls his lawyer who is also a leading legislator and lo and behold a bail commisioner is summoned and off he goes. Is it any wonder that RI has the worst track record and the most lax laws in the US for drunken driving? All the while our mothers, fathers and children continue to be mowed down by these drunks. Shameful!!!
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This is unbelievable. He should resign. What kind of example is he setting. The Republican Party chairman needs to get is priorities straight. He states in the paper he is more concerned with the legislation he's submitting than his troubles with the law. What does that say? The good ol' boy network in place. What a joke!!
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I am outraged after reading in today's paper. (4/24)about Rep. Sullivan. The comments by Republican Chair Ciccione who is "having trouble getting outraged" and Chafee supporter, James DeRentis who thinks, "He deserves a break. He had a lapse in judgement". What are they thinking?? The guy was driving DRUNK on rt.95.He couldn't walk or recite the alphabet. His blood level alcohol was way over the limit. He had a passenger in the car. If he had slammed into a car carrying their family members, what would they be saying? Rep. Sullivan should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and not enjoy a cover-up because he's one of the 'good old political boys'. Bravo to the police and the Journal.
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I find it amazing that the legislators who write and approve D.U.I. laws are representing them in court. Seems like a conflict of interest, but then again, I could be wrong.
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