30-year-old man charged in fatal Rhode Island crash released on $5,000 surety bail

The Cranston Police Department, with the assistance of the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Medical Examiner’s Office, is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early Sunday morning on Scituate Avenue. 

At approximately 4:15 a.m. on Sunday, Cranston Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the area of 525 Scituate Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a female pedestrian who had suffered catastrophic injuries. The victim was discovered by an Amazon employee, who immediately contacted 911. 

Despite life-saving efforts, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene by the Cranston Fire Department at 4:23 a.m. The victim has not yet been positively identified pending further investigation and notification of next of kin. 

Cranston Police Department crash reconstructionists determined that the pedestrian was struck while in the westbound breakdown lane and was propelled approximately 42 feet. Evidence recovered at the scene, including debris and vehicle components, was consistent with a motor vehicle striking a pedestrian. 

At approximately 5:18 a.m., a Cranston resident arrived at the scene and spoke with investigators. They reported that earlier in the morning, Richard D’Amico, age 30, of Cranston, RI, told him he was traveling on Scituate Avenue during the early morning hours and believed he had struck something with his vehicle, possibly a deer or an object. The vehicle involved was identified as a 2023 Toyota Tacoma registered in Rhode Island. 

Officers subsequently located the vehicle at D’Amico’s residence. Damage observed on the Toyota Tacoma was consistent with the evidence found at the crash scene and a pedestrian strike. 

As part of the investigation, police reviewed license plate reader data recorded in the area, examined physical evidence, and conducted interviews. Based on the totality of the evidence, investigators determined that the vehicle was involved in the fatal crash and failed to stop. There is no record that D’Amico called 9-1-1 or the Cranston Police Department to report the crash. 

An arrest warrant was obtained for D’Amico, charging him with Duty to Stop in an Accident Resulting in Death. A related search warrant was also issued, and the Toyota Tacoma was seized and transported to Cranston Police Headquarters for further examination. D’Amico turned himself in on Sunday, at approximately 7:00 p.m. He was arraigned before a bail commissioner and released on $5,000 surety bail. His next court date is April 1, 2026, at the Third District Court in Warwick for a pre-arraignment conference. 

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Cranston Police Department at 401-942-2211 or anonymously by texting keyword CRANSTONPD with your tip to 847411.