Uber Driver With Passengers Arrested for OUI in Tiverton

TIVERTON, R.I. — Tiverton police arrested an Uber driver early in the morning on New Year's Day on suspicion of drunk driving — and he was carrying two passengers at the time.

According to police, the passengers were grateful when the officers stopped their driver and took them the rest of the way home.

Police said that just after 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, officer Nicholas Jamrog saw a Buick Enclave driving erratically with one headlight northbound on Route 24.

The officer stopped the vehicle after it left the highway and turned onto Fish Road.

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Police said the driver, later identified as 41-year-old Carlos Cordova of Warwick, told Jamrog he was an Uber driver and had two passengers in the car.

The officer said he smelled alcohol and saw other signs of intoxication, which led him to conduct several field sobriety tests on Cordova.

According to police, Cordova stumbled and performed poorly on the tests — and even needed officers to help prevent him from falling.

A preliminary breath test showed Cordova had a blood alcohol content level of .228%, police said.

In Massachusetts, the maximum BAC level for drivers is .08.

Cordova was arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence of alcohol.

Police said officers spoke with the two passengers, a man and a woman, who both "expressed their gratitude" for stopping Cordova.

The officers took them both home.

Cordova refused to take a chemical test at the police station and has been released on $1,000 surety bail.

He is being charged with operating under the influence of liquor, refusing a chemical test, and laned roadway and head lamp vehicle violations.