Woonsocket Man Arrested Following Fiery Cranston Crash

CRANSTON, R.I. -- A Woonsocket man was arrested Thursday night after fleeing from police and causing a fiery crash. According to Cranston Police, Richard B. Gobern III, 29, of Woonsocket was driving erratically in the area of Laurel Hill Avenue at Farmington Avenue just after 9 p.m.

Gobern then attempted to flee from officers, heading towards the Terrace Avenue area. Officers were not in direct pursuit and briefly lost sight on the vehicle.

On Maplewood Avenue, Gobern attempted to cross over to Laurel Avenue at a high speed and hit a second vehicle, slamming it into a wall. Gobern's red jeep also collided with the wall and immediately burst into flames.

Gobern fled the scene on foot, and was later found behind a home on Roland Avenue. He suffered a serious cut to the head as a result of the crash. Police say three females were in the jeep at the time of the crash and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The operator of the other vehicle sustained only minor injuries. Gobern, the three females and the operator of the other vehicle were all taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

Gobern was taken into custody and charged with reckless driving and duty to stop: accident resulting, as well as other traffic violations. He also faces charges of domestic strangulation from a previous warrant and was driving with a suspended license.

Photo Credit: Cranston Police Department