Driver in Deadly City Hall Accident Cited

The driver of a vehicle that struck and killed an 80-year-old man Monday morning has been cited with a right of way violation by the Woonsocket Police Department, a traffic infraction which carries an $85 fine.

Det. Lt. Eugene Jalette said that victim Aldor Lataille of Woonsocket was clearly in the crosswalk attempting to cross Main Street when he was hit by the beige Nissan Maxima operated by 24-year-old Paul R. Dutile.

Although police have found no evidence of speed, drugs or alcohol related to the incident, "there's still rules of the road," Jalette explained. "You have to yield the right of way for a person on the crosswalk."

Lataille was leaving City Hall around 11:20 a.m. when the car struck him, propelling him into the windshield before he landed on the ground. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m.

Jalette said he believes there are many common misconceptions regarding the traffic laws governing crosswalks.

"If you are standing on the side of the roadway and you jump into the crosswalk in front of a moving vehicle, the car does not necessarily have to yield," he said.

"In this instance, we know that the person was clearly in the crosswalk, and the driver failed to yield," Jalette said. "He probably didn't see the person. It's one of those cases where you don't really know why it happened."

The Woonsocket Police have completed their investigation and the case has been sent to the Attorney General's office for review.

"I don't think there will be any more charges," Jalette said.