HOPE VALLEY, RI — A 70-year-old man walking his dogs was struck and killed by a vehicle that left its lane on Spring Street on Friday morning.
Roderick Macleod, of Richmond, was walking on the shoulder of the eastbound lane near 42 Spring Street when he was hit at approximately 7:21 a.m.
Police said the vehicle, driven by Shannon N. Godbout, 41, of Hopkinton, was traveling eastbound when it left the lane and struck several objects, including two telephone poles and the pedestrian.
Macleod was transported to Rhode Island Hospital by Hope Valley Ambulance, where he died from his injuries.
Officers at the scene discovered Godbout was in possession of numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials commonly associated with drug distribution, according to police.
Godbout was arrested at the scene and transported to Westerly Hospital for medical evaluation by Ashaway Ambulance.
She faces preliminary charges of driving so as to endanger resulting in death and possession of narcotics Schedule I/II with intent to distribute, third plus offense.
Godbout will appear before a Justice of the Peace and be presented to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as a criminal violator for past charges for which she is currently on suspended sentences and probation.
Police said Godbout has a criminal history that includes over 100 arrests, with eight from the Hopkinton Police Department, and 82 court warrants have been issued for her previously.
The Rhode Island State Police Accident Reconstruction Team is assisting with the investigation.
