Woonsocket Patrol Officer Michael Velino was monitoring traffic in his cruiser on Arnold Street when a gold Buick traveled through the intersection from High Street without stopping Oct. 19 at 5:13 p.m.
Velino followed the car down Harris Avenue, but lost it as it turned onto Blackstone Street without stopping or using a signal. Velino was directed up Spring Street by a motorist and caught up with the Buick there, heading north in excess of 50 mph in a 25 mph zone, driving erratically and taking sharp turns. The officer turned on the cruiser's lights and sirens, attempting to pull the vehicle over, but it continued to speed away turning left onto Prospect Street, according to Velino's report.
At the crest of a hill on Prospect, Velino saw the Buick off the road on the far right side of of the Winter Street intersection resting in brush. Inside, the driver, later identified as Alphonse Bouche, 61, of 939 Bernon St., Apt. 227, was unconscious, slumped across the front passenger seat.
Bouche was not wakened by Velino's siren, and had locked himself inside the car. An off-duty Woonsocket Rescue worker, Jodi, and WFD Lt. William Crowley, also off-duty, stopped to assist Bouche. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, and Velino rode along, he reported.
Five minutes into the trip, Velino reported Bouche woke up, and did not appear under the influence of alcohol or drugs. At the hospital, Bouche said to Velino, "I'll make this easy for you. I did not stop because my car is not registered," according to Velino's report. His injuries were not life threatening.
Bouche was charged with reckless driving. He was also cited for three counts of failing to obey a stop sign, two turn signal violations, speeding, operating without evidence of insurance, failure to yield the right of way and operating an unregistered vehicle.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
