NORTH SMITHFIELD — A 35-year-old Massachusetts man is facing charges with North Smithfield police after they allegedly discovered he was driving under the influence with his children, and had allowed one of them to share his drinks.
Tom Cardin, of Uxbridge, has been charged with driving under the influence, .15 or greater, contributing to the delinquency of a child and furnishing beverages for someone underage following the incident on Saturday, May 9.
According to the arrest record, police were responding to reports of gunshots heard in the area when they spotted a grey Volkswagon operated by Cardin approaching off a dirt path on Middle Street.
Cardin’s 14 and 10 year-old sons were passengers in the vehicle, and he told police he was on the dirt path because he wanted to show them where he used to ride his Jeep as a child.
Officers reportedly smelled alcohol on Cardin’s breathe, and he told them he had two drinks before driving. He failed both the initial sobriety test and two breathalyzer tests later administered at the police station. Registration on his vehicle was expired.
Police also smelled alcohol on the older son’s breathe and upon questioning, he told police his father had allowed him to have two “nips” of Smirnoff vodka.
The sons were released into custody of their mother. Cardin is scheduled to appear in municipal court for the expired registration and in 3rd district court on Thursday, June 25 for the criminal charges.
