CHARLESTOWN, RI — The Charlestown Police Department is investigating an officer-involved incident that occurred shortly after midnight on June 15, 2026.
The incident took place near Old Post Road and Falcone Lane.
Neither the suspect nor the involved police officers sustained any injuries.
Around midnight, Charlestown Police dispatch received a 911 call regarding an erratic wrong-way driver on U.S. Route 1 entering town from South Kingstown.
Charlestown Police officers located the suspect vehicle operating erratically on Old Post Road.
While attempting to stop the suspect vehicle, the driver rammed an occupied police cruiser and tried to flee.
One police officer discharged a firearm during the encounter.
Officers stopped the vehicle a short distance away and took the suspect into custody without further incident.
Rhode Island State Police took a 23-year-old male from Johnston into custody at the scene, suspected of driving while intoxicated and other offenses.
Per state protocol, the Charlestown Police Department contacted the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and the Rhode Island State Police for assistance investigating the officer-involved incident.
The Charlestown Police Department is working cooperatively with the Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.
