CRANSTON — A 16-year-old Cranston resident has been charged in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on May 18 on Pippin Orchard Road.
At approximately 10:02 p.m., Cranston Police officers responded to a serious head-on collision involving an Infiniti G37 and a Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Both vehicles sustained heavy damage.
The Infiniti came to rest against a tree on private property after colliding with the Mercedes.
A front-seat passenger in the Mercedes, identified as Jack Safford, 84, of Florida, sustained significant internal injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on May 20.
The driver of the Mercedes — Safford’s daughter — was treated for minor injuries and later released.
The juvenile driver of the Infiniti was also treated for minor injuries at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and released.
A passenger in the Infiniti fled the scene before officers arrived.
Over the past several weeks, the Cranston Police Department has conducted a thorough investigation in coordination with prosecutors from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.
The investigation included analysis of physical evidence at the scene, interviews with witnesses, forensic examination of the juvenile’s cell phone, mechanical inspections of both vehicles and retrieval and analysis of event data recorders from both vehicles.
The findings allege that the juvenile was traveling southbound on Pippin Orchard Road at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone approximately five seconds before the crash.
The driver failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the double yellow centerline, and struck the Mercedes head-on as it traveled north.
Following the collision, the Infiniti continued off the roadway and struck a tree.
The juvenile was charged Thursday morning in Rhode Island Family Court with driving to endanger resulting in death, a felony, and driving to endanger resulting in physical injury, a misdemeanor.
The court placed the juvenile on home confinement with electronic monitoring and ordered the surrender of his driver’s license.
Traffic citations were also issued for speeding more than 11 mph over the posted limit, conditions requiring reduced speed, lane roadways violation and use of a personal wireless communication device by a minor while operating a motor vehicle.
The juvenile had received his learner’s permit on Sept. 4, 2024, and was issued a provisional license on April 21.
