DUI Suspect Drove 105 mph on Route 37, Loves his Wife

A Warwick man is facing charges of driving under the influence after he allegedly was caught driving 105 mph on Route 37 and told the officer who pulled him over that it was his first time "drinking drive."

Officer Wayne DeCosta was driving in one of the Cranston Police Department's unmarked cars around 1 a.m. on June 9 when a silver Subaru blew past him at a high rate of speed.

DeCosta got behind the Subaru in the passing lane with the intention of pulling it over when a black Dodge Durango flew by even faster. Decosta got behind the Durango and clocked it going 105 mph. Route 37 is a 50 mph zone.

DeCosta activated his lights and pulled over the Durango, watching the lucky Subaru driver disappear onto Route 95 north.

Inside the Durango was Michael Thornley, 38, of 55 Alabama Ave., Warwick, who stuck his head out the window and said he was sorry over and over. But it took a few tries before DeCosta could understand what he was saying because his speech was "extremely slurred and lethargic."

"He kept repeating it was his first time," DeCosta wrote. "I asked him what he meant by that and he said 'drinking drive.'"

While getting out of the Durango, Thornley reportedly fell backwards into the side of his truck and was unsteady on his feet. He then failed a field sobriety test and blew a .187 during a preliminary breath test. 

On the way to police headquarters, Thornley reportedly was "very talkative" in the back of the police cruiser and said he was sorry and knew he was "tuned up" and shouldn't have been driving. He also said he loves his wife.

At the station, Thornley refused a chemical test, police said, and he was arraigned in the morning.

Thornley was charged with driving under the influence, first offense, and refusing a chemical test. He was also summonsed for driving 55 mph over the speed limit.

He was released on $2,000 personal recognizance and is due to appear in court on June 19.