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WESTERLY — A Massachusetts man is facing DUI charges after police said he crashed head-on into a guardrail at the intersection of Winnapaug and Airport roads early Sunday.

The man, John Clavin, 53, of Seekonk, Mass., was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He was also cited for laned roadway violations, as well as for failure to submit to a portable breathalyzer test at the scene, the police said.

According to Westerly police, Clavin was northbound on Winnapaug Road around 3 a.m. and tried to turn right onto Airport Road when his car, a gray Hyundai Sonata, struck the guardrail. Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey said the collision caused significant damage to the car and the guardrail.

"He was out of the car already when officers arrived and told them right away, 'I messed up,'" Lacey said, noting that Clavin was not injured and declined medical attention.

Lacey said Clavin "was using his car to balance" and showed other signs of intoxication including slurred speech. He was given a field sobriety test, which he failed. The police said he also refused requests to take breathalyzer tests at the scene and during booking, leading to additional charges.

—Jason Vallee

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