Former R.I. state trooper arrested months after fellow officers let him leave suspected DUI stop

SCITUATE, R.I. – A former Rhode Island State Police officer was arrested after an investigation showed him leaving a suspected DUI stop without fellow officers conducting a field sobriety test, despite observing him swerving across the highway.

Former Sgt. Nuno Vasconcelos has since been charged with two misdemeanors. However, he has not been charged with driving under the influence.

The incident occurred on March 23, when state police responded to 911 calls about a driver operating erratically on I-295 in Cranston. One caller reported that the vehicle had struck a highway barrier and continued driving.

Police video from that night shows Vasconcelos repeatedly swerving on the highway. Even after troopers activated their lights and sirens, he continued to weave in and out of lanes for nearly a minute before finally pulling over.

According to court records, one officer reported that Vasconcelos was stumbling and had a “slight odor of alcoholic beverage” on him. Despite these observations, troopers did not administer a field sobriety test.

After approaching the vehicle and realizing the driver was Vasconcelos, one of the troopers turned off the audio on his body-worn camera. When a second trooper arrived on scene and asked what was going on, a colleague responded, “Sidebar,” prompting that officer to also mute his body camera.

Court documents state that Vasconcelos was placed in the passenger seat of a cruiser and became upset upon learning that his truck would be towed. He allegedly told the officers, “You aren’t towing my [expletive] truck,” and instructed them to “get in your [expletive] cruiser and follow me home, I’m going to drive in a straight line.” The officers then allowed him to drive away from the scene.

Video: WPRI

On May 5, Col. Darnell Weaver invoked a state statute to compel Vasconcelos’ retirement. The provision allows the superintendent to terminate a trooper’s employment after 20 years of service, with the governor’s approval.

Earlier this month, Vasconcelos was charged with reckless driving and obstructing an officer. He was arraigned Tuesday in Kent County District Court, where he pleaded not guilty.