NORTH SMITHFIELD – An intoxicated motorist struck two pedestrians on Route 146 Wednesday, killing one and leaving the other seriously injured, before he fled the scene, state police say.
Nicholas Stone, 25, of 771 Black Plain Road, was arrested shortly after the incident in Dowling Village. He is charged with litany of offenses, including driving under the influence, death resulting; driving to endanger resulting in death; duty to stop in an accident resulting in death; driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor resulting in serious bodily injury; duty to stop in an accident resulting in damage to another vehicle; and refusing to submit to a chemical test.
Stone’s arrest came after troopers from the Lincoln Woods and Scituate barracks, along with members of the North Smithfield police and fire departments, were summoned to calls for multiple pedestrians struck on Route 146 about 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, state police said in a release.
Thomas Lamoureux, 63, of no permanent address, and another male, were walking southbound in the right shoulder, a few hundred feet south of Sayles Hill Road, when they were struck by a BMW sedan operated by Stone, state police said.
Lamoureux was pronounced dead at the scene and the other victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries. State police said the latter victim, whose identity was not released, was in stable condition.
Stone allegedly fled the scene after striking the pedestrians, at which point he was involved in a collision with a RIPTA van. Investigators located him a short time later in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Dowling Village.
“He displayed obvious signs of impairment and failed a field sobriety test administered on scene,” state police said.
Stone was subsequently placed into custody and taken to Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket by the Woonsocket Fire Department where he was treated, released, and transported to state police headquarters.
No information about Stone’s arraignment on the charges in Third District Court on Thursday was available as of press time, but the judiciary’s website says he has been arrested at least twice previously for reckless driving. He also has prior arrests for leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a suspended license.
The incident marks the second time a pedestrian was struck by the busy intersection, currently under undergoing reconstruction, in less just three days. On Monday, Oct. 23, 52-year-old was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
Follow Russ Olivo on Twitter @russolivo
