RI Police release name of driver arrested after hitting Trooper in crash

A man has been arrested after causing a chain reaction crash that injured a State Trooper.

Saturday, a Trooper was struck while in his cruiser in the breakdown lane of 95 South in Warwick during a car stop. After being rear-ended, the cruiser was pushed into the stopped vehicle.

Rhode Island State Police arrested Alfredo Falcon-Benitez, age 41, of Lincoln Avenue in Central Falls.

Falcon-Benitez subsequently failed all field sobriety tests administered on scene and was transported to State Police Headquarters where he refused to provide a breath sample.

Falcon-Benitez was held overnight and arraigned by Justice of the Peace Dawson for the following: 1. Driving Under the Influence of Liquor/Refusal(First Offense), 2. Driving to Endanger, 3. Operating on a Suspended License. He was held on surety bail and transported to the ACI pending a bail review hearing this week.

State Police Colonel James Manni states” I am thankful that the Trooper and other motorist involved were not seriously injured. This is yet another reminder, especially at this time of the year, of the potential tragedy that can occur by deciding to drink and drive. The State Police remain focused on removing impaired operators from the roadways.”