MADD reacts to Whitehouse's son's DUI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said she was disappointed to learn of Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's son's DUI charge.

Alexander Whitehouse, 19, of Newport, was arrested and charged with drunk driving early Wednesday morning by Middletown police.

Police were tipped off after an eyewitness called police to report that an Audi four-door sedan had pulled into a gas station at a high rate of speed and was driving erratically.

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The eyewitness told police the passenger in the car was holding what appeared to be a beer can and both men stumbled out of the car.

"Somebody chose to do something stupid. There's no word that describes it better than irresponsible and stupid," said Gabrielle Abbate of MADD.

But MADD hopes teens and parents will be able to learn from Whitehouse's arrest.

Abbate said she reached out to Senator Whitehouse's office, in hopes that he will continue to support MADD's message.

"It is our great hope that the Senator will come and join us and really put even a more heightened awareness to underage drinking and driving," continued Abbate.

When police responded to the gas station where they questioned Alexander Whitehouse and a passenger, who both "exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol," according to the arrest report.

The report states that as soon as Whitehouse saw the officer, he reached into the car, "took a beer bottle" and emptied the contents onto the ground.

Whitehouse told police he had been drinking that night and his passenger identified him as being behind the wheel of the car.

Whitehouse told police "he had consumed three Bud Lights and four shots of gin at a friend's house within the past two hours," according to the report.

Whitehouse failed a field sobriety exam on scene then was handcuffed and brought to the Middletown police station where police say he blew a .09 on a Breathalyzer test. The legal limit in Rhode Island is .08.

Whitehouse was charged with driving under the influence. He was arraigned by a justice of the peace at the police station.

"We are deeply concerned and upset by our son’s poor judgment," Whitehouse and his wife, Sandra, said in a statement his office issued Wednesday. "But we love Alexander and we will deal with this as a family."

The passenger, Robert Bauer, 18, of Portsmouth, was charged with possession of marijuana and minor in possession and consumption of alcohol. He will be in court in August.

Police searched the vehicle and "found what appeared to be a cloth sunglass bag on the floor of the front passenger's seat .... A search of the bag revealed marijuana."

Whitehouse is a graduate of the prestigious St. George's School in Middletown. "He was treated like any other person would have been treated," Middletown Police Chief Anthony Pesare said.

The report states police found an empty bottle of vodka and a partially empty bottle of "Hendricks Gin" in the trunk of the car.

Pesare said they are investigating where the alcohol came from in this case.

In the meantime, MADD is asking all parents to talk with their children about the dangers of drinking and driving.

"You have a limited amount of control, but you have a great amount of influence," said Abbate. "You keep pounding home the message."

Whitehouse is scheduled to appear back in court Friday, July 27 to face charges.

Tim White ( twhite@wpri.com ) is the Target 12 investigative reporter for WPRI 12 and Fox Providence. Follow him on Twitter: @white_tim