Police have filed DUI charges against a 55-year-old Charlestown man after the police said he crashed into a utility pole on Church Street Monday afternoon, causing high tension wires to fall on a home and creating an electrical surge that led the house to catch fire.
Westerly police charged the man, Scott A. Barlow, with driving under the influence with an unknown blood alcohol content, refusal to submit to a chemical test, driving with an expired license and laned roadway violations. Barlow, of 111 Buckeye Brook Road, was taken by ambulance to Westerly Hospital for evaluation and treatment for minor injuries, the police said, and was released before being taken back to the Westerly Police Department for booking.
Barlow was expected to be released from custody Monday evening and would be issued a court date to appear for arraignment in 4th Division District Court in the near future.