Rhode Island man found guilty in crash that seriously injured 10-year-old son, 21-year-old co-worker

Attorney General Peter Neronha today announced that a Cranston man has been found guilty of driving under the influence and causing a crash that seriously injured his 10-year-old son and another passenger in Cranston in 2019.

On November 29, 2023, following a six-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Stephen Nugent, 52-year-old Glen Teolis was found guilty of two counts driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury, two counts of reckless driving resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of felony reckless driving. The defendant was previously convicted of reckless driving in 2002 and 2008.

The defendant is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending a sentencing hearing scheduled for January 25, 2024.

“This case is yet another tragic example of the harm caused by driving under the influence,” said Attorney General Neronha. “This defendant’s actions endangered his own life, the lives of other motorists, and the life of his 10-year-old son, who suffered serious injuries due to his father’s flagrant disregard for his safety. As with this defendant, my Office will continue to fiercely hold accountable those who irresponsibly endanger others by driving under the influence. I am grateful to the Cranston Police Department for their outstanding work and partnership in this case and so many others.”

During the trial, the State proved that on March 31, 2019, the defendant drove under the influence of alcohol and caused a crash on Olney Arnold Road in Cranston that seriously injured his 10-year-old son and another 21-year-old passenger.

Prior to the incident, the defendant flew to Rhode Island from Florida, where he was living at the time, to visit his son. After he arrived in Rhode Island, the defendant, his son, and a 21-year-old co-worker visited multiple bars in East Greenwich. While at those bars, the defendant drank multiple alcoholic beverages, as witnessed by wait staff.

At approximately 8:20 p.m. that evening, the defendant left the bar in his 2018 Nissan Altima with his son and co-workers as passengers. During the drive, both passengers asked the defendant multiple times to slow down and stop, to which the defendant refused. According to testimony, the defendant reached speeds of 100 mph on Route 295 North and drove in the breakdown lane to pass vehicles.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., the defendant encountered a slight curve on Olney Arnold Road in Cranston at a high rate of speed and lost control of the vehicle. The car went off the road, crossing a driveway before striking a large tree with such force as to wrap the hood around the tree and lift the rear of the vehicle upward. According to vehicle sensors, the car was traveling 75 miles per hour shortly before the crash, and the brakes were not activated. The speed limit on Olney Arnold Road is 25 miles per hour.

Investigators determined that the defendant had a BAC of .125 one hour after the crash. First responders addressed injuries to the passengers, which were extensive and required multiple days of hospitalization.

“This was a completely avoidable incident, and unfortunately we see impaired driving cases like this one all too often,” said Colonel Michael J. Winquist of the Cranston Police Department. “While there is no justice that can undo the damage done, I am glad to see the defendant was held accountable. I want to thank our officers and investigators, as well as our partners at the Attorney General’s Office, for their investigation and prosecution of this case.”

Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine of the Office of the Attorney General and Inspector David Boucher of the Cranston Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.