I-295 Fatal: Woonsocket Man Charged: RI State Police Allege Road Rage Led to the Crash

JOHNSTON, RI — Road rage allegedly led to the accident that killed a 23-year-old Brooklyn man, according to state police Col. Ann C. Assumpico. Mitchell Savard, 41, of Woonsocket, is being charged with reckless driving in connection with the March 30 fatal crash on I-295.

Erik Salazar, 22, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died in the crash. He was driving a box truck, one of three vehicles involved in the chain reaction crash. He was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital. Andy Salgado, 23, also of Brooklyn, NY, a passenger in the box truck, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and remains in critical condition.

The crash happened on I-295, between the Route 6 and Route 44 exits around 9:50 a.m. on March 30. Also involved in the crash was a tow truck driven by Trevor Armstrong, 28, of Bristol, Conn. He was treated at Rhode Island Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The third vehicle, a Mazda sedan, was driven by Savard, 41, who was not injured, state police said.

Savard was arrested at his home Wednesday. According to the police investigation, Savard was traveling north in the high-speed lane and switched into the center lane, cutting off a tow truck. The tow truck driver blew his air horn.

"Savard then intentionally repeatedly tapped his brakes and then abruptly stopped his vehicle in the center lane in front of the tow truck," state police said. "This action caused the tow truck to also come to an abrupt stop. However, a box truck, also traveling in the center lane behind the tow truck, was unable to avoid the two stopped vehicles and struck the rear of the tow truck, which then struck the rear of Savard’s vehicle.

State police have charged Savard with three offenses:

· Driving to Endanger, Resulting in Death
· Driving to Endanger, Resulting in Personal Injury
· Driving to Endanger, Resulting in Physical Injury

Savard is scheduled to appear at 3rd District Court this afternoon for an arraignment hearing. Patch will update this story as information develops.