South Kingstown Police arrest two for impaired driving

The South Kingstown Police Department today announced the arrests of two individuals on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) in separate incidents that occurred on August 4 and August 5, 2024.

“These arrests highlight the ongoing efforts of the South Kingstown Police Department to ensure the safety of our community by apprehending individuals who choose to drive under the influence,” said Matthew C. Moynihan, Chief of Police for South Kingstown. “We remain committed to reducing the incidence of impaired driving through enforcement and education.”

On August 4, 2024, at approximately 9:20 PM, South Kingstown Police conducted a traffic stop after a vehicle operated by Timothy Jackson, age 26, of  24 Wingate Road, South Kingstown, was observed speeding and driving erratically. Upon making contact, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and noted Jackson’s bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech. Mr. Jackson refused to submit to field sobriety tests and resisted arrest, becoming combative, necessitating the use of OC spray and physical force by the officers. Timothy Jackson was charged with DUI (Blood Alcohol Concentration Unknown), Simple Assault and Battery, Resisting Arrest, and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test. He was transported to South County Hospital for decontamination and later released on personal recognizance after being arraigned by a Justice of the Peace.  Timothy Jackson is scheduled to appear in 4th Division District Court on August 15, 2024.

On August 5, 2024, at approximately 3:13 AM, a 2013 Volkswagen, operated by Aidan Ocampo, age 22, of 45 Lonesome Pine Road, Cumberland, was reported to have crashed into a utility truck conducting emergency repairs on Bridgetown Road. Officers detected the odor of alcohol, and Mr. Ocampo exhibited bloodshot and watery eyes. An empty alcoholic beverage bottle was found in his vehicle. Ocampo refused to submit to field sobriety tests but agreed to a breath test, which resulted in BAC levels of 0.112 and 0.106. Aidan Ocampo was charged with DUI of Liquor – 1st Offense. He was booked and processed at the South Kingstown Police Department and held for arraignment in 4th Division District Court.

Background on impaired driving

The first offense for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs carries several penalties:

• Possible jail sentence of up to one year at the ACI.
• Mandatory license suspension from three to eighteen months.
• Mandatory community service from 10 to 60 hours.
• Fines of not less than $100, nor more than $500
• Fees can easily reach a few thousand dollars.

Rhode Island law requires you to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the chemical content of your body fluids or breath.

If you refuse this testing, certain penalties can be imposed and include the following:

• For a first offense, your Rhode Island driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state can be suspended for six months to one year or modified to permit operation in connection with an ignition interlock device for a period specified by law; a fine from $200 to $500 can be imposed; and you can be ordered to perform 10 to 60 hours of community service and attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment.

• If you have had one or more previous offenses within the past five years, your refusal to submit to a chemical test of breath or urine at this time can have criminal penalties, including incarceration up to six months for a second offense and up to one year for a third or subsequent offense, and can carry increased license suspension or ignition interlock period, fines, and community service.

If you or someone in your life is struggling with substance use, including alcohol, or mental health issues, help is available. Call the SAMHSA hotline at 800-662-4357 for confidential free help to find substance use treatment and information.

All arrests made by the South Kingstown Police Department are posted weekly to our website: https://www.southkingstownri.com/1196/Arrest-Log