CUMBERLAND, RI — A 48-year-old man faces multiple charges after leading police on a pursuit and crashing into several vehicles Monday evening.
Jay Kenealy was arrested following the incident that began around 6 p.m. in the area of Mendon Road and the Route 295 on/off ramps.
Cumberland Police officers attempted to stop a motor vehicle for motor vehicle violations.
Upon speaking with Kenealy, officers determined he may be operating under the influence.
Kenealy fled from officers in his vehicle, and police followed while attempting to stop him for several miles.
During the pursuit, Kenealy exited the roadway and struck several snowbanks while also operating left of center.
Kenealy struck a Cumberland Police vehicle along with two additional occupied motor vehicles and proceeded on without stopping.
While being pursued, police learned Kenealy had made threats to harm himself and officers by way of a firearm he claimed to be in possession of.
Officers determined Kenealy’s vehicle would need to be forcibly stopped and were able to successfully do so on Scott Road after he also struck a Lincoln Police cruiser.
None of the motorists, including the Cumberland Police officers whose vehicles were struck during the incident, reported any injuries, and only minor damage was reported on all four vehicles.
Police later learned Kenealy had an active bench warrant for his arrest.
Kenealy was discovered to be in possession of a knife and two martial arts-type axes, but a search of the vehicle did not turn up any firearms.
Kenealy was charged with DUI of liquor, reckless driving and other offenses against public safety, three counts of duty to stop for an accident resulting in damage to an attended vehicle, two counts of weapons other than firearms prohibited, obstructing an officer in execution of duty and eluding law enforcement vehicle in a high-speed pursuit.
