NORTH SMITHFIELD – A domestic dispute on Mattity Road did not end well for one North Smithfield man, who was reportedly struck by a car his wife was driving earlier this month, just before he was arrested.
Richard Coutu, 56, of 140 Mattity Road was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following the incident on Thursday, Jan. 2.
According to reports on the incident, police were called to the home around 10 a.m. for a subject who had been run over by a vehicle. Upon arrival, police said they attempted to speak to Coutu, but he refused to stop talking on the phone, and would not cooperate. After reportedly pulling away from officers, he was taken to the ground, but continued to ignore orders, and resisted arrest.
The reporting party, a 55-year-old woman, told officers she was in the midst of a difficult divorce with Coutu, and had accidentally struck him with her car while attempting to leave the home. She then called 911 and got a towel for Coutu’s head, which reportedly had several lacerations.
The suspect initially told police he believed his wife had hit him on purpose, but later said he was unsure if the action was intentional, according to reports.
Coutu was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with minor injuries. His wife was not charged in the incident.
