Portsmouth, RI —
Local police made an arrest recently on a local highway that reportedly involved children.
According to Major Michael Morse, on Saturday, the Portsmouth Police Department arrested 39-year-old Peter Murner of Bourne, MA, for driving under the influence of alcohol with children under the age of 13 as passengers.
At just after 8:15 p.m., the Portsmouth Police responded to East Main Road (Route 138) near Hedly Street for a report of a disabled vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers encountered the vehicle and its operator, Peter Murner. The vehicle was found to be disabled due to striking a curb and sustained disabling damage.
While on scene, officers were approached by a 10-year-old child who had been an occupant in the vehicle. The child had possession of the vehicle’s keys and provided them to the officers. A second child, age 7, was seated inside the vehicle. Both children were safely escorted to a police cruiser while the investigation continued.
Officers spoke with Murner and observed multiple signs of alcohol impairment to include the odor of alcohol emanating from his breath. Murner submitted to field sobriety testing, which he failed, and was placed under arrest.
After transport to headquarters, Murner refused to submit to a chemical breath test. Peter Murner was charged with Refusal to submit to a chemical breath test and DUI of Liquor/Drugs – Child < 13 Passenger.
He was released with a district court summons. Murner will be formally arraigned at the 2
nd
Division District Court on Thursday.
The children were released to the custody of a family member.
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