Rhode Island man held on bail after police say he was found unresponsive on the highway with a loaded gun, drugs

Following a recent event, a man from Rhode Island is being charged with multiple offenses.

State Police say that Troopers from Troop E Montville responded to a complaint of a disabled motor vehicle with the operator apparently slumped over the wheel on Saturday at just after 2:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Exit 92 on I-95 south in Connecticut.

Troopers found the car when they arrived and saw that the male driver was not responding. The male eventually responded and was positively recognized as Joshua West, 34, of Warwick, Rhode Island. Troopers saw signs that West was drunk when they were talking to him. Troopers also found that West was in possession of suspected drugs during the encounter, which subsequently tested positive for the presumed presence of fentanyl. A loaded.40 caliber handgun that West lacked a permit to carry was also found during a vehicle check.

For a medical assessment, EMS took West to a nearby hospital. West did not complete the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests as required by Troopers while he was in the hospital. West tried to strike a nurse while receiving medical attention, but he was restrained before any medical personnel were hurt.

After receiving medical attention, West was arrested and taken to the Troop E barracks. In addition to operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, West was also charged with illegally possessing a firearm in a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer, possessing a controlled substance while under the influence, breach of peace in the second degree, and carrying a pistol without a permit.

After being placed under a $50,000 bond, West was sent to Corrigan Correctional Facility and is currently awaiting his appearance in New London Superior Court.

West was released on $5,000 bond at arraignment, and his next court appearance is set for January 31.

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