News Summary
A 22-year-old woman from Central Falls faces DUI charges and four counts of child endangerment after crashing her vehicle with four children onboard. The accident occurred on Jenckes Hill Road, leading to injuries for three of the children. Emergency responders had to extricate the driver, who was then hospitalized. The police continue to investigate the incident, emphasizing the dangers of impaired driving, especially with minors present in vehicles.
Lincoln — A 22-year-old woman from Central Falls has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and four counts of child endangerment following a serious car crash on Jenckes Hill Road. The incident took place on a Monday evening around 7 p.m.
According to law enforcement reports, Shirley Catalan Pineda was driving a vehicle that veered off the road and struck a tree at a high speed. At the time of the crash, the vehicle was occupied by seven individuals, including four children, raising serious concerns regarding the safety of juvenile passengers in situations involving impaired driving.
Emergency responders, including Lincoln firefighters, had to extricate Pineda from the vehicle, and she was subsequently transported to Rhode Island Hospital. While her injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, her condition prompted immediate medical attention.
Upon arrival, police officers observed Pineda exhibiting signs of impairment. Notably, officers detected the smell of alcohol and noted her slurred speech during interactions at the scene. These observations contributed to the charges filed against her.
Three of the four children in the vehicle sustained minor injuries during the incident. Two of them were hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital, while the third was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for further evaluation. The safety of all juvenile passengers remains a critical concern, and authorities underscored the dangers presented by drivers operating under the influence.
Additionally, following the crash, two other passengers fled the scene on foot, and attempts to gain information about their identities from those present were met with uncooperative responses. The circumstances surrounding their departure remain under investigation by the Lincoln Police Department, which is actively working to identify all individuals involved in the incident.
Four rescue units were dispatched to the scene to provide assistance and transport the injured parties as needed. Pineda’s legal proceedings have commenced, with bail set at $20,000 through personal recognizance on the day following the crash. As a condition of her bail, she has been ordered not to operate a vehicle, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges against her.
Looking ahead, Pineda’s next court hearing is set for August 25, 2025. Meanwhile, the Lincoln Police Department continues to investigate the factors surrounding the crash, focusing on the implications and responsibilities of drivers, especially when minors are present in the vehicle.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the hazards of impaired driving, particularly regarding the safety of children who may be involved. Authorities urge the community to be vigilant and responsible in order to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Turn to 10 News
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- Valley Breeze
- Google Search: Child Endangerment Laws
- ABC 6 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drunk Driving
- WPRI News
- Google News: Impaired Driving Effects
