Victoria L. Demers: Sutton Teen Hurt in Route 146 Crash on Tuesday Has Died

SMITHFIELD, RI — Victoria L. Demers, 18, of Sutton Mass., has died of injuries suffered in a two-car crash on Route 146 in North Smithfield on Tuesday. According to Rhode Island College, she was a student and a basketball player there. State police said she was driving north on Route 146 near the Pound Hill Road exit when she lost control of her car. Her car struck the median and crashed into another car in the travel lane around 10:10 a.m.

She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she died. The accident is still under investigation, state police said.

In a statement, school officials said "Rhode Island College is saddened by the tragic untimely passing of freshman women's basketball student-athlete Victoria Demers."

"Victoria was a force to be reckoned with both on and off the court," Director of Athletics Don Tencher said. "She had an infectious personality that affected everyone in a very positive manner and her freshman season exhibited just a glimpse of the positive things to come on the court. Our RIC Athletic Family has suffered an incredible loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to Victoria’s family as well as her teammates. "

Head Women's Basketball Coach Glenn Senecal added, "Victoria will be missed, but never forgotten... Whatever Vic did, she always went above and beyond what was expected of her."