Rhode Island man held on bail after police say he was found unresponsive on the highway with a loaded gun, drugs

A Rhode Island man is facing several charges after a recent incident.

According to State Police, on Saturday, at just after 2:15 p.m., Troopers from Troop E – Montville responded to the area of I-95 south in the area of Exit 92 in Connecticut, for a report of a disabled motor vehicle with the operator possibly slumped over the wheel.

Upon arrival, Troopers located the vehicle and observed the male operator to be unresponsive. After a few moments, the male became responsive and was positively identified as 34-year-old Joshua West of Warwick, RI. While speaking with West, Troopers observed indicators that he was intoxicated. Furthermore, throughout the interaction, Troopers discovered West was in possession of suspected narcotics, which later tested positive for the presumptive presence of fentanyl. A search of the vehicle also revealed a loaded .40 caliber handgun which West did not have a permit to carry.

West was transported to a local Hospital by EMS for a medical evaluation. While at the hospital, Troopers requested that West submit to the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which he failed to perform to standard. During the course of his medical treatment, West attempted to punch a member of the nursing staff but was restrained prior to any injuries to medical staff.

West was placed under arrest and transported to the Troop E barracks following his medical treatment. West was charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol, Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle, Interfering with an Officer, Illegal Carrying of a Firearm while Under the Influence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Breach of Peace in the 2nd Degree, and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit.

West was held on a $50,000 bond and later transported to Corrigan Correctional Facility awaiting presentment at New London Superior Court.

At arraignment, West was held on $5,000 bond with his next court date scheduled for January 31st.