Bristol Man, 66, Faces DUI Charge After Head-On Crash

A Bristol man, 66, was charged with drunk driving on Sunday evening, Jan. 12, after his car struck another vehicle head on near Mulberry Road and Hope Street. 

No one suffered serious injuries. Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end damage and had to be towed.

Emanuel L. DaPonte, of 141 Fales Road, reportedly was traveling north on Hope Street around 8 pm when his vehicle veered into the southbound lane and struck another vehicle. A patrol officer said DaPonte showed numerous signs of intoxication, including slurred and mumbled speech, according to the arrest report.

DaPonte admitted to have 4 or 5 beers at the Lincoln Club, according to the arrest report. He refused a chemical test to determine his blood alcohol level after failing a field sobriety test. 

DaPonte was taken to the police station, where he was arraigned by a justice of the peace and released on personal recognizance bail of $1,000 at 1:10 am Monday, according to the police report. 

DaPointe was charged with a DUI, first offense; refusing to submit to a chemical test, and leaving the lane of travel. He is to appear in District Court next Wednesday, Jan. 22, to face the charges.