John Sommer was arrested by East Greenwich police and faces DUI, disorderly conduct, and vandalism charges. Photo courtesy of the East Greenwich police department.
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Former East Greenwich school committee member John Sommer is facing multiple charges after being stopped on August 8 for driving under the influence.
East Greenwich police received a call from a woman who said a man just broken her car window and sped off. She gave police a description of a man who was 50-60 years old, wearing a button down dress shirt, glasses and driving a black car.
A short time later, police stopped a black Mercedes Benz with a driver who fit the description. That driver was John Sommer.
“The officer did note that she advised that Mr. Sommer said some things to her based upon her living in that car in that park and ride as being homeless and that he did not want her there,” said Detective Lieutenant Jeremy Fague.
Sommer was given a field sobriety test where he failed but refused to the breathalyzer. He has been charged with driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, vandalism/malicious injury to property, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
“It seems clear that Mr. Sommer has some issues of his own to deal with,” said Director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless Jim Ryczek. “We are very disturbed and somewhat outraged that he decided to take out some of his frustration on a defenseless person.”
Story first reported by the East Greenwich Patch.
