Driver Crashes Into North Smithfield Town Hall, Charged With DUI

NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI — A Johnston woman is facing charges after crashing into North Smithfield Town Hall on Wednesday night. Stephanie Plante, 32, was driving under the influence and had narcotics and marijuana in her car, police said.

A North Smithfield officer tried to pull Plante over after he saw her driving erratically on Victory Highway around 9 p.m. She did not stop, turning onto North Main Street. She sped away and the officer briefly lost sight of the car as it headed towards the town hall. By the time the officer caught up, Plante had already crashed into the building.

Both Plante and a female passenger appeared to be uninjured police said. When she got out of the car, Plante was combative, hitting one of the officers at the scene. Police were forced to use pepper spray to arrest her, the release said.

Police found narcotics and marijuana in the car. Plante was taken to Landmark Medical Center, where she was evaluated and released. From there, she was brought to the North Smithfield Police Department, where she was booked, processed and held pending her arraignment in Third District Court.

Plante faces three counts of possession of narcotics, driving under the influence, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, reckless driving, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license, third offense.