JOHNSTON, RI — A 22-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested after an early morning crash in Johnston and now faces driving under the influence charges, Rhode Island State Police said.
Jamir Vernet of Stoughton was taken into custody shortly before 3 a.m. Friday after the crash on Route 6. State police also said he was accused of refusing to submit to a chemical test, which added another charge to the case.
Authorities said Vernet was processed at state police headquarters and then held overnight while he waited for an arraignment in Third Division District Court.
Arrest followed crash on Route 6 before dawn
State police said the arrest happened in the pre-dawn hours, when traffic is usually lighter and visibility can still be limited. The crash was reported on Route 6 in Johnston, a corridor that carries local and regional traffic through the area.
The release did not describe how many vehicles were involved, whether anyone was hurt, or what caused the collision. Police also did not say whether alcohol testing was attempted at the scene or later at headquarters.
What is clear from the state police account is that the crash led directly to Vernet’s arrest and the DUI-related accusations that followed. The case now moves into court after the overnight holding period.
Chemical test refusal became a second charge
Along with the DUI allegation, police said Vernet was charged with refusing to submit to a chemical test. In Rhode Island, that charge can accompany drunk-driving arrests when a driver declines the testing process requested by officers.
The state police release did not spell out whether the refusal happened at the roadside, during booking, or at headquarters. It also did not provide additional details about the timing of the test request or any statements from Vernet.
The two charges together suggest the arrest stemmed from more than a routine crash response. Police used the crash investigation to support a DUI case and the separate refusal count.
Processed at state police headquarters after the arrest
After being taken into custody, Vernet was processed at Rhode Island State Police headquarters, according to the release. Processing generally means officers complete booking steps before a suspect is lodged or released.
Police said he was then held overnight pending arraignment in Third Division District Court. That indicates the case was active enough for authorities to keep him in custody through the night rather than release him after processing.
No attorney comments, court filings, or further police details were included in the release. The state police statement focused on the arrest, the charges, and the next court step.
Stoughton driver’s case moves into Rhode Island court
Vernet’s address in Stoughton places him in Massachusetts, but the charges were filed in Rhode Island because the crash happened in Johnston. That means the case will be handled under Rhode Island law and court procedure.
Authorities said the arraignment was expected in Third Division District Court, but they did not give a date or result beyond the overnight hold. For now, the arrest is the main public action taken in the case.
Police did not identify any other people tied to the crash. They also did not say whether there were witnesses, passengers, or property damage beyond the collision itself.
What Rhode Island State Police said in the release
The Rhode Island State Police media release was brief and centered on the basic facts: a crash on Route 6, an arrest shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, and two charges against Vernet. It gave his age and hometown and confirmed that he was processed and held overnight.
That level of detail is typical in an early case update, especially when investigators have not yet released a full crash narrative. The statement did not include a broader safety warning, road closure information, or an estimate of how long the investigation may continue.
For drivers in the area, the case is a reminder that crash investigations can quickly turn into criminal charges when officers believe impairment and test refusal are involved.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
