Tiverton Police and Fire Departments responded to two major accidents Thursday, both resulting in operators arrested for DUI.
On Thursday, November 3 at 3:42 PM, the Tiverton Police Department along with both the Tiverton and Portsmouth Fire Departments responded to the area of Stone Bridge Commons at 1800 Main Road for a multi-vehicle accident involving a school bus. Three vehicles were involved, a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport, a 1998 Volvo S70 and a 2023 First Student School Bus. In addition to the driver and monitor, the school bus was occupied by eight juvenile students. The operator of the Chevrolet Captiva sustained minor facial injuries. The operator of the Volvo S70 sustained a minor head injury. No adult or juvenile occupants aboard the First Student School Bus sustained any injuries.
Investigation revealed the Chevrolet Captiva was traveling north on Main Road. The Volvo S70 was preparing to exit the Stone Bridge Commons parking lot onto Main Road. The Chevrolet Captiva left its lane of travel and operated on the sidewalk at the right shoulder of the roadway. The Chevrolet Captiva continued north and struck the Volvo S70 at the parking lot entrance / exit to Stone Bridge Commons. The Chevrolet Captiva reentered the northbound travel lane of Main Rd., crossed the center lane divider, and entered the southbound lane where it then struck the front driver side of the First Student School Bus.
The operator of the Chevrolet Captiva was identified as Tanya Amorin, (40) of Fall River, MA. Officers observed her to exhibit indicators of impairment. Amorin said she was unaware she was in Tiverton believing she was in Somerset, MA. Officers observed prescription medication bottles as well as an open alcoholic beverage container inside Amorin’s vehicle. Amorin was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor / Drugs and later refused an evaluation or any chemical test at police headquarters. Amorin was also cited for Leaving the Lane of Travel- Right Half of Road, Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – 1st Violation and Refusal to Submit to Preliminary Breath Test. Amorin was arraigned by a bail commissioner and released from police custody on surety bail. Amorin is scheduled to appear in Newport District Court for re-arraignment on 11/10/2022. Notification was made to parents / guardians of students aboard the school bus who subsequently responded to the accident scene and took custody of their children. The accident remains under investigation by Officer Stephen Parrillo.
At 7:09 PM, police and fire personnel responded to the area of 423 Stafford Rd. for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival, officers found a downed telephone pole and wires hanging across the roadway. Investigation revealed a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling south on Stafford Rd. when it left the lane of travel and struck a 2021 Honda CRV which was travelling north. After striking the Honda, the Jeep left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Both vehicles sustained significant damage and were towed from the scene. The operator of the Jeep, identified as Christy Amaral, (48) of Tiverton RI showed signs of intoxication. Amaral admitted to officers that she was returning from a local bar and had consumed alcoholic beverages. Amaral was placed under arrest for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor / Drugs. Amaral was also issued citations for Refusal to Submit to a Preliminary Breath Test, Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test – 1st Offense, Operating Vehicle When Registration is Cancelled, Inspection Sticker Required, Leaving the Lane of Travel – Right Half of Road.
Amaral was transported by Tiverton Rescue to Newport Hospital. Amaral was returned to Tiverton Police Headquarters once medically cleared. Amaral was arraigned by a bail commissioner and released from police custody on surety bail. Amaral is scheduled to appear in Newport District Court on 11/10/2022. Stafford Road remained closed for approximately two hours. The accident remains under investigation by Officer Michael Topazio.