John McCarthy
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas merrymaker started his New Year’s Eve celebrations early and got a ticket to jail – rather than paradise.
Richard Lawrence, 77, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at about 7:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to an auto collision on Nicholas “Nick” Friday Memorial Drive involving three cars, according to the VIPD.
Officers responding to the scene observed three vehicles involved in the auto collision, police said.
Contact was made with all the vehicle operators, who all refused medical attention, according to police.
Officers observed one of the vehicle operators, Mr. Richard Lawrence, who had glossy red eyes,
difficulty standing, and stumbling when he walked, and emanated a strong odor of alcohol.
Officers performed a field sobriety test on Lawrence, who failed to perform the standardized
field sobriety test as instructed.
Richard Lawrence, age 77, was detained and taken to the Richard N. Callwood Command, where he was booked and processed for Driving Under the Influence. His bail was set at $1,000.00.
