WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — A former probationary Providence police officer was released without bail after appearing in court Tuesday in connection with a crash last month that injured a state police trooper.
Stephen Kennedy, 31, did not enter pleas to charges of driving under the influence, possession of a gun while driving under the influence, drug possession, and driving to endanger at his arraignment in Kent County District Court.
He refused comment when questioned outside of court.
Kennedy was off-duty but in uniform at the time of the Feb. 4 crash on Interstate 95 in Warwick, according to court documents in the case.
Kennedy rear-ended a parked state police cruiser that was carrying a trooper and two police dogs, police said. Trooper Daniel O’Neil, who was conducting traffic enforcement, was injured. The dogs were checked out by a veterinarian but were unhurt.
Kennedy was also hurt when his vehicle rolled.
Tests conducted after the crash showed no signs of alcohol in his system but did detect the powerful opioid fentanyl, according to a police affidavit in the case.
Kennedy, of Cranston, joined the Providence Police Department as a probationary officer in June, but was ultimately not hired.
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