Police await Medical Examiner’s report in death of driver

Posted 5/14/15

Police are still seeking answers as to why a 30-year-old man, who was not speeding and under good weather conditions, suddenly veered off Ives Road in Potowomut Monday afternoon at 3:14 and hit a …

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Police await Medical Examiner’s report in death of driver

Posted

Police are still seeking answers as to why a 30-year-old man, who was not speeding and under good weather conditions, suddenly veered off Ives Road in Potowomut Monday afternoon at 3:14 and hit a tree.

East Greenwich Fire Rescue transported the operator of the 2001 Ford Taurus Sedan, Brett Taraska from Yawgoo Valley Rd. in Exeter, to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. There were no passengers in the car.

“We need to wait for the medical examiner’s report,” Col. Stephen McCartney said yesterday.

McCartney said the driver of a vehicle in front of Taraska saw the car abruptly turn to the left, crossing the centerline and the oncoming traffic lane to hit the tree.

The chief thought some sort of medical episode might be the cause of the accident.

The department is continuing the investigation to include whether alcohol/

drugs were factors in the collision or to determine if the driver possibly suffered a medical episode just prior to the crash.

Based on evidence at the scene as well as witness accounts, it does not appear that speed was a factor. It appears at this time that the operator was at least partially buckled at the time of the crash and the vehicle’s airbag did deploy, according to a police release.

Investigators are continuing their investigation. Any person with information related to the collision is asked to contact the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division at 468-4343.

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  • RIposter

    What about mechanical problems with the car?

    Thursday, May 14, 2015 Report this