Police Log: Station Wagon Driver Arrested For Ignoring Stop Sign, DUI

Woonsocket Police Officer Michael Koneczny saw a maroon 2004 Mercedes station wagon speeding through the intersection of North Main Street and Prospect Street Dec. 2 at about 7:21 p.m. and followed it as the driver traveled in the middle of the road and ignored a stop sign. 

The station wagon continued driving in excess of 55 mph in the 25 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, according to Koneczny's report. The speeding wagon continued traveling on Main Street, speeding through the stop sign without slowing, passing Stadium Theatre on a routinely pedestrian-heavy stretch of street, so Koneczny turned on his lights to pull the station wagon over. 

The driver of the station wagon ignored the cruiser's lights, so Koneczny turned on the cruiser's siren in an attempt to grab the driver's attention. The driver continued another 200 feet before pulling over. 

Koneczny approached the vehicle to speak with the driver, Michael Duffy, 32, of 369 Summer St., apt. 1, and noticed a strong odor of alcohol on him. Koneczny also noted Duffy had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. When asked why he had disregarded the stop sign, Duffy asserted that he had stopped, and also said he hadn't put anyone in danger because "Nobody was around." He further asserted, "I never drink."

Koneczny administered a field sobriety test, which Duffy failed. Duffy was also given a breath test, but feined breathing into the device in lieu of providing a sample. 

Duffy was arrested and his car was towed from the scene. A search of his car turned up several shotgun shells, which were siezed and placed in evidence. 

At the station, Duffy again deliberately botched the breath test, refused a chemical test, requested a second phone call after calling his lawyer, and asked to be released in exchange for a "real criminal."

Duffy was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, reckless driving, refusal to submit to a chemical test and refusal to submit to a breath test.