Warwick Police have arrested a Warwick man who allegedly fled a three-car collision on West Shore Road and Groveland Avenue at 5:26 p.m. Wednesday, March 4.

According to police, investigation has revealed that a silver 2006 Ford F150 pickup truck was being operated westbound on West Shore Road when it rear-ended a 2015 Kia Soul forcing it left of center and striking a 2004 Hyundai that was operating eastbound. The operators of the Hyundai and the Kia along with its passenger were all transported to Rhode Island Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Traffic Division’s Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the collision.

Allegedly, the operator of the Ford F150 fled the scene continuing westbound towards Apponaug. Officers at the scene immediately put out a statewide BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect vehicle. A short time later, officers were at Kent Hospital on an unrelated investigation when they were alerted to a subject that was at the hospital after having just been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Warwick. Traffic Officer Brian Chianese is the lead investigator on this case and he responded to KCMH and spoke with the subject who identified himself as John Rigney, 37, from 22 Call St. in Warwick. After being advised of his constitutional rights, Rigney admitted being involved in the crash and fleeing the scene because he was scared, police said.

According to police, Rigney admitted he drove his Ford F150 to the Kent Center on Health Lane and then walked into the emergency room at Kent Hospital for treatment.

Rigney was arrested and charged with duty to stop in an accident resulting in serious bodily injury (felony) as well as various motor vehicle offenses related to the crash. The suspect vehicle was located at the Kent Center and damage to the truck matched physical evidence left at the scene.

Rigney displayed signs of intoxication at the hospital and investigators are attempting to determine if he was impaired at the time of the crash. Additional charges are likely as the investigation is ongoing and the Warwick Police Department has consulted with the Department of Attorney General on this case.

Investigators are continuing their investigation with interviews of involved parties and witnesses as well as searching for surveillance video from the area that may have captured the crash.

Any person with information related to the collision is requested to contact the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division at 468-4343.