By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — A 40-year-old North Providence man faces multiple charges, including two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, after a Pawtucket crash and a subsequent police chase that ended in a North Providence yard on Sunday morning.

According to Pawtucket Police, the incident began when the suspect, Christopher Desantis, of 2222 Mineral Spring Ave., #2, was involved in a minor collision with another vehicle near the intersection of Pawtucket Avenue and Carver Street at around 10:41 a.m. DeSantis was driving a 1996 Ford Explorer belonging to his daughter, and struck a vehicle belonging to Carlos A. Janeiro, 27, of East providence.
According to the police report, because DeSantis appeared to be unsteady and slurring his speech, Patrolman James M. Baino called for another officer to conduct a field sobriety test.
While Baino was investigating the accident, Desantis fled the scene, heading in reverse down Carver Street at a high rate of speed.
He struck a green Saturn on Carver Street and when Baino exited his cruiser and tried to block his way, DeSantis allegedly pointed his vehicle at him, causing him to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.
He then drove halfway on the sidewalk to pass around Baino’s cruiser. He passed the first accident scene and nearly struck Janeiro’s vehicle a second time, police said.
With Baino, later joined by Officer Ryan R. Heise, in pursuit, Desantis lead police on an erratic chase through Pawtucket and into North Providence. At one point, according to the police report, Desantis slowed down enough to pull alongside Baino’s cruiser and asked, “I’m drunk. Why are you following me?”
At one point, DeSantis drove the entire length of Belmont Street on the wrong side and ran a stop sign on West Avenue, almost causing another vehicle to strike Baino’s cruiser. DeSantis also tried to force Baino’s cruiser into the vehicles that had pulled over along Main Street, police said.
DeSantis drove on the wrong side of Main Street, forcing Heise’s cruiser onto the sidewalk at one point. When Baino and Heise finally blocked DeSantis’ vehicle with their cruisers, he rammed the vehicles repeatedly. Baino pulled out his firearm at one point and ordered Desantis to stop, but he was able to escape onto Lonsdale Avenue toward Mineral Spring Avenue.
With the two police officers again in pursuit, DeSantis continued on Mineral Spring Avenue toward Smithfield Avenue. He again struck Baino’s cruiser on the driver’s side, pushing him out of the vehicle. He also rammed Heise’s cruiser. Baino again pulled out his weapon and order DeSantis to stop, but he continued traveling on Mineral Spring Avenue, according to the report.
When Desantis entered North Providence, he continued driving at 50-65 MPH, police said, turning onto Douglas Avenue, then to Westcott Road and finally Meadow View Blvd. Baino’s cruiser made contact with DeSantis vehicle, causing it to spin around in a yard at 17 Meadow View Blvd.
With his firearm drawn, Baino ordered Desantis out of the vehicle, but he still did not comply, reportedly taking a swing at the officer’s face, according to police. Baino struck Desantis in the face in an effort to subdue him, according to the report. Desantis continued to struggle with the two officers as they were trying to place him in handcuffs, and had to be subdued with cap stun spray.
According to police, as he was being taken into custody, Desantis reportedly stated, “I only had eight drinks. I can drive on eight drinks.”
Desantis was transported to the Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The two police officers were also transported for treatment of injuries incurred in the pursuit.
He was arraigned on two charges of felony assault with a dangerous weapon (a vehicle), driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol-1st offense, refusal to submit to a chemical test, reckless driving/eluding police, driving with a suspended license, and failure in duty for a collision with an unattended vehicle.