CRANSTON, R.I. — A Cranston man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that left a woman dead on Scituate Avenue early Sunday morning.
Cranston police said the victim was struck while in the breakdown lane and was thrown approximately 42 feet upon impact. An Amazon employee discovered her body and alerted authorities.
Despite life-saving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cranston Fire Department at 4:23 a.m. Her identity has not yet been confirmed pending further investigation and notification of next of kin.
Investigators said a Cranston resident contacted police after a man told them he believed he may have struck something, possibly a deer.
Following an investigation, police charged Richard D’Amico of Cranston with duty to stop in an accident resulting in death. Officers seized his Toyota Tacoma, which authorities said showed damage consistent with the crash.
“Based on the totality of the evidence, investigators determined that the vehicle was involved in the fatal crash and failed to stop,” police said in a statement. Authorities also noted there was no record of D’Amico contacting 9-1-1 or the Cranston Police Department to report the incident.
D’Amico was arraigned and released on bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 1.
