Crime & Safety

JPD: Woman Had Heroin in Car with Toddler

Local police charged a Smithfield woman with felony drug possession following an accident on Greenville Avenue.

 

Johnston Police reported the arrest of a Smithfield woman after her car was involved a single-car accident, and officers found a three-year-old in her vehicle.

Jennifer Bonsante, 32, of 954 Greenville Ave., Smithfield, faces one felony count of heroin possession and a midemeanor DUI charge after local officers reported that they found a small amount of the drug and a medical syringe in her car following the June 27 crash.

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Sgt. Matthew Benson wrote that he went to the intersection of Killingly Street and Greenville Avenue in Johnston after witnesses reported seeing "a female who was unconscious behind the wheel" of her 1995 Jeep.

When he arrived, Benson reported, several witnesses told him that they had seen Bonsante's car "roll through the intersection from the northbound lane of Killingly Street" and hit the gate at JT's Auto at 53 Greenville Ave.

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Benson wrote that he then went to check on Bonsante and found her "unconscious with sunglasses covering her eyes."

As he was trying to revive her, Benson reported, he saw that "her skin [was] gray in color," and observed "a very minor laceration, which appeared to be similar to a 'track mark.'"

Benson also found a syringe on the driver's seat, according to his report.

Johnston Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the scene, and took Bonsante and her son to Rhode Island Hospital.

Ptlm. Luca Lancellotti and Benson then search the Jeep, and according to Benson's report, found a small lipstick-type container and a lighter inside the driver's side door handle.

When he picked up the canister, Benson wrote, "I could immediately feel that the container was extraordinarily warm."

Benson also reported that he looked inside the container and found a "brown, spongy substance inside with a bit of brown liquid" that he suspected to be heroin.

Det. Raymond Peters and Benson later tested the substance and confirmed that it was heroin, Benson reported.

Benson wrote that he then went to Rhode Island Hospital and found Bonsante and her son in the triage area.

Bonsante refused to submit to a chemical test, Benson reported, and admitted that "she has been using heroin for about a year."

When he asked whether she had been using heroin before the accident, Benson wrote that Bonsante replied: "I'd rather not talk anymore."

Following treatment at the emergency room, officers brought Bonsante and her son back to the Johnston Police Department, where they presented her for arraignment before Justice of the Peace Richard Raspallo.

Raspallo ordered Bonsante released on $6,000 personal recognizance until a July 5 court hearing on the DUI charge and an Aug. 29 hearing on the drug possession charge.

Benson also wrote that he contacted the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and reported the arrest to the agency.


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