North Smithfield Man Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison For Deadly DUI Crash

PROVIDENCE, RI — A North Smithfield man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for killing a pedestrian, injuring another, side-swiping a van and fleeing while driving drunk.

Nicholas Stone, 27, pleaded no contest Wednesday to driving under the influence resulting in death, driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury, driving to endanger resulting in death, driving to endanger resulting in serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in damage to a vehicle, felony reckless driving and driving under the influence.

On top of his 17 years in prison, Stone was sentenced to 25 years' probation, an eight-year suspension of his driver's license after his release, 60 hours of community service, substance abuse counseling and $6,100 in fines.

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"Because of this defendant’s reckless actions, one man died and another suffered permanent injuries,” Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha said in a media release.

“Driving under the influence is an infuriating crime because every instance is entirely preventable, and so often it leads to severe injury or death, both of which occurred here," Nerpnha said. "While I’m grateful that this defendant will pay significantly for his crimes, nothing can undo the harm caused to the victims and their families. I hope they now feel some sense of closure.”

Shortly after 9:30 p.m. Oct. 25, 2023, the Rhode Island State Police received several reports of a hit-and-run motor crash at the intersection of Route 146 Northand Sayles Hill Road in North Smithfield, according to the release.

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Responding troopers found two pedestrians had been hit by a car, the release said. One, Thomas Lamoureux, was dead, and the other, Jeremy Davis, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence with severe injuries.

Earlier that evening, Stone "purchased nine nips from Washington Hill Liquors in Lincoln," according to the release, and about two hours later "returned to purchase nine more nips" and a 40-ounce can of beer.

Stone then headed north on Route 146 in his 2011 BMWi and struck Davis and Lamoureux, carrying the second man's body on the hood of his car for about 600 feet before side-swiping a Rhode Island Public Transit Authority passenger van, the release said.

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Stone fled and pulled into the parking lot of a Walmart in North Smithfield, according to the release.

"While parked, (Stone) called his mother and confessed to the various crimes," the release said, and Stone's mother in turn called 911 and gave up her son’s location.

"When troopers arrived on scene, they observed a 2011 gray BMW 328i with heavy damage to the hood, front windshield, roof, rear windshield, and driver-side of the motor vehicle," the release said. "Police attempted to conduct field sobriety tests, but (Stone) refused and requested an ambulance. "

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Stone was taken to Landmark Medical Center, where he refused to submit to a chemical test, according to the release.

The police sought and obtained a search warrant for Stone's blood, and the ensuing test determined his blood-alcohol content was more than double the legal limit about an hour and a half after he hit the two men and the van, the release said.

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