Man Struck, Killed By Warwick Police Cruiser

WARWICK, RI — A 25-year-old man died at the hospital overnight after he was hit by a marked Warwick Police cruiser late Monday night. The initial investigation showed that the officer was not speeding, impaired or distracted at the time of the crash, police said.

The crash happened at 11:17 p.m. on West Shore Road, near the intersection of Sunny Cove Drive. At least one other vehicle on the road nearly hit the man, police said, after he ran out into the street and directly into the path of the oncoming marked cruiser.

The victim was taken to Kent Hospital, where he later died. His identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.

According to Warwick Police Chief Rick Rathbun, the officer, who was not injured in the crash, has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. The leave is not disciplinary and is the department's protocol in such a situation, he said. Both the Rhode Island State Police and Attorney General's Officer are involved in the investigation.

The Traffic Accident Reconstruction team, made up of both Warwick and State Police officers, have determined that the officer was not impaired, speeding or distracted when the crash happened. He did not have his lights or siren on, Colonel Rathbun added.

Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to reach out the Warwick Police Department's Traffic Unit at 401-468-4200.