Rhode Island woman charged with DUI resulting in serious bodily injury to son

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced on Monday that a Rhode Island woman has been charged in Providence County Superior Court with multiple impaired driving offenses stemming from her arrest by the Woonsocket Police Department in October 2022.

On April 5, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General charged 22-year-old Erika Ahrens of Woonsocket by way of criminal information, with one count of driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury; one count of driving to endanger resulting in seriously bodily injury; one count of driving to endanger resulting in physical injury; two counts of cruelty/neglect of a child; and one count of driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle.

As alleged in the criminal information, on October 29, 2022, Ahrens drove her vehicle, while occupied by two child passengers, under the influence, resulting in a crash where one child suffered serious bodily injuries.

The Woonsocket Police Department conducted the investigation.

A call came into dispatch just after 2:00 a.m. for a multi-vehicle crash at Diamond Hill Road and Mendon Road in Woonsocket with 4 people injured in one vehicle, including an unresponsive toddler.

All 4 were transported to local hospitals.

At the time of the crash, the 2-year-old was listed in critical condition and the 1-year-old was later released to DCYF custody.

Ahrens was released on $40,000 bail at the time and took to social media shortly after the crash to ask for prayers for her 2-year-old son and to apologize for her actions.

“I know what I did, and I am so sorry to my babies. Please pray for my son Karter David Ahrens. He needs prayers. That’s it. Thank you.”

Ahrens is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on June 15, 2023 in Providence County Superior Court.