South Kingstown Woman Killed In Torrey Road Crash

One South Kingstown woman was killed and two others injured after the car they were riding in crashed into a telephone pole on Torrey Road at 12:10 a.m. on Feb. 15, according to South Kingstown Police.

Police released the names of the victims earlier today. Erica L. Knowles, 23, of 95 Wood Lane, South Kingstown, was pronounced dead yesterday at Rhode Island Hospital. She was a passenger in the back of the car.

Knowles was a journalism and women's studies major at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

The university offered its condolences today.

"Ms. Knowles was well known in our journalism community and she was a talented young poet," said Thomas R. Dougan, vice president for Student Affairs, in a press release earlier today. "She was a woman who met every challenge and was determined to finish her degree even in the face of some difficult circumstances. We will miss her greatly, and we offer our thoughts and prayers to her family, friends, professors and classmates."

The driver of the car, Dean C. Philbrick, 46, of 50 Harcourt Ave., Wakefield, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Police confirmed he is still in the hospital, but his current condition is unknown. The front passenger, Rebecca Scott, 29, of 12 Lily Lane, Narragansett, was treated and released at South County Hospital after the crash.

The three victims worked together at Turtle Soup in Narragansett.

Crews from Narragansett, URI, and Kingston responded to the emergency call.

The South Kingstown Police Department and the state Attorney General’s office are continuing to investigate.