State Police Release Name of Providence Teen Killed on I-95

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence teenager was killed Friday night on I-95, state police said. The accident happened around 11:20 p.m. According to police, Jasmine Reyes, 16, was driving when her car hit a guardrail, spun around and stopped in the southbound lane of travel. A tow truck then barreled into the teen's car near the Jefferson Boulevard exit.

Rhode Island State Police Captain Matthew Moynihan said the teen, who was not licensed, was driving her friend’s car south on I-95 when she lost control. The car’s headlights were broken in the crash. That circumstance made it difficult for oncoming motorists to see the car, Captain Moynihan said

A short time later, a tow truck, also headed south in that first lane of travel, struck the car, Captain Moynihan said. The impact forced the car to spin across the highway, coming to rest against the center barrier. The teen was ejected from the vehicle. It’s unclear whether she had been trying to get out of the car when it was struck, or if she was ejected upon impact. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.

A passenger in her car, Thomas Dimauro, 18, of Warwick, suffered minor injuries. He also was the owner of the car, a 1999 Toyota Corolla.

The driver of the tow truck, Leonard Sherman, 38, of Cranston, also suffered minor injuries.

Parts of the highway were closed until about 1:55 a.m., while the Rhode Island State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Forensic Services Unit investigated, along with troopers from the Wickford and Lincoln Barracks. Warwick Fire and Rescue and Warwick Police also assisted at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation, Captain Moynihan said. Speed does not appear to have been a factor, and there were no signs of impairment by either driver. It is unclear whether the victim was wearing a seat belt at the time of the initial crash.

Image via Shutterstock