Child, 5, Suffers Serious Injuries After Collision with Off-Duty State Trooper
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A 5-year-old child was left with severe injuries after being struck by an off-duty Rhode Island State Police trooper. Fortunately, the driver, who was initially unaware of the accident, has not been charged as authorities deemed it an “unfortunate accident.”
The incident took place on Boylston Street in Warwick on October 2 around 3 p.m. Local officials quickly responded to the scene following reports from Patch, CBS affiliate WPRI, and NBC affiliate WBTS. Video footage reviewed by investigators showed that the vehicle was travelling east on Boylston Street while two children were standing near the street. As the vehicle passed by, the child on a skateboard exited a slightly elevated driveway, lying face down, and entered the roadway directly into the vehicle’s path, as reported by Patch.
According to the police, the vehicle maintained its speed and did not exhibit any abnormal or evasive actions before or after the impact. When emergency services arrived, the vehicle had already left the scene, while the injured child was rushed to a Providence hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries.
The Warwick Police Department swiftly posted a photo of a silver pickup truck on social media, seeking information from witnesses who might have seen the vehicle near Palmer Ave. It was later confirmed that the driver involved was a state police trooper, as revealed by Warwick Police Captain Matthew Higgins to the Boston Globe. The vehicle has been impounded for further investigation.
Despite the traumatic incident, the driver cooperated fully with authorities, was extensively questioned, and was eventually released without facing any charges. Reports indicated that the off-duty trooper displayed no awareness of colliding with the child and even returned to the scene later on.
“The investigation, to this point, indicates this is simply an unfortunate accident,” police stated. The child, still recovering in the hospital as of October 3, has the support of the community and medical professionals as they heal from the ordeal.
Efforts to obtain additional comments from the Warwick Police Department and Rhode Island State Police on the ongoing investigation have been made, with responses pending. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the unexpected nature of accidents and the importance of vigilance on the road to prevent such tragedies.