Barrington Man, 25, Faces Second DUI Charge

A Barrington man, 25, faces a second charge of drunk driving.

Peter S. Eklund, of 1 Edgewood Drive, was pulled over on Franklin Street by Bristol police early last Saturday morning, Jan. 18, after traveling north on Hope St. His pickup truck was allegedly driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone in downtown Bristol at around 12:30 am.

The arrest report said Eklund’s vehicle swerved over the center line into the southbound travel lane. It turned onto Franklin Street and then drove west in the middle of the street before turning into a dirt driveway and narrowly avoided colliding with a row of bushes that marked the property line of 3 Franklin St., according to the arrest report.

Eklund exhibited many of the signs of inebriation, according to the arrest report, including slurred speech, mumbling, and bloodshot and watery eyes. He admitted to having two drinks but did not know what street he was traveling on, according to the arrest report. Officer found an opened and partially consumed 375 ml bottle of Captain Morgan Rum on the the driver’s seat.

Eklund failed a field sobriety test, according to the arrest report. He requested a medical examination and was taken to Newport Hospital. He was returned to the Bristol Police Station to be arraigned by a justice of the peace. He was released around 4 am on $2,000 personal recognizance bail and with a date to appear in District Court to face the charges.

In addition to the second DUI charge, Bristol police charged him with refusing to submit to a chemical test to determine his blood alcohol level, leaving the lane of travel, and speeding. He was also cited for not using a turn signal and not wearing his seat belt and carrying an open bottle of alcohol.