Wrong-Way DUI Suspect tells Police "You Probably Saved my Life"

A 42-year-old Exeter woman is facing charges of driving under the influence after she allegedly swerved in and out of traffic, drove on the wrong side of the road and nearly crashed into oncoming traffic and telephone poles on Friday afternoon.

Police said they got a call from a good Samaritan at around 5:30 p.m. who reported a black Hyundai Sonata was swerving erratically on Shippeetown Road.

The driver, identified by police as Amanda M. Antinucci, 42, of 96 Cedar Grove, Exeter, reportedly was driving west in the eastbound lane and almost struck several telephone poles and cars while swerving erratically.

Antinucci reportedly continued on to Division Road and then Crompton Road, where officers soon caught up with her and noticed her rear bumper was nearly falling off as she continued to veer in and out of her lane notably above the 25 mph speed limit.

As an officer tried to pull her over, he reported seeing her come “within inches” of hitting oncoming vehicles and telephone poles three times before she finally came to a stop, according to a police report.

Police noted that the roads were very congested and it was raining, making conditions slippery.

Once stopped, Antinucci reportedly couldn’t get out of her car and couldn’t identify herself. And because she failed to put her car in park, it started to roll backwards towards the police cruiser, but an officer got behind the car and prevented a collision while another officer opened the door and put the car into park.

Antinucci reportedly failed a field sobriety test and police found an open bottle of Smirnoff Vodka in her center console.

Antinucci told police that she drank a half pint of vodka and later, said she was sorry and that police “probably saved my life.”

Police said they are investigating the damage on Antinucci’s car and sent information to surrounding agencies in the hopes of figuring out where it happened.

Court records show it is Antinucci’s second DUI offense.

She is due to appear in Third Division District Court on April 4 for arraignment.