A young child is dead, and several other juveniles were injured after a rollover crash that took place over the weekend.
According to Little Compton Police Chief Scott Raynes, on Sunday, just before 2:00 p.m., the Little Compton Public Safety Complex received a 911 call advising of a rollover accident with injuries located on Long Highway involving a utility task vehicle. One of the injured parties was said to be a female child that was currently unresponsive.
Little Compton Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the scene and began assessing the scene and treating the injured parties. Tiverton Fire personnel were requested and dispatched at this point to assist with the injured parties. A total of eight juveniles were assessed and treated by rescue personnel. Little Compton Rescue personnel immediately transported a 5-year-old female with critical injuries to Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, and Tiverton Rescue transported a second 5-year-old female to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence with serious injuries. The remaining six juveniles were treated on scene and released to their parents. The 5-year-old female transported to Saint Anne’s Hospital was later pronounced deceased by hospital medical personnel and the second 5-year-old female is in stable condition at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
The Little Compton Police requested the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit as well as the Forensic Services Unit to assist with the investigation. It was determined that the UTV, a John Deere Gator, was being operated in a grassy field by a 16-year-old juvenile with seven juvenile passengers. At a point in the field the operator lost control of the UTV, and it rolled over, ejecting the operator and all passengers. The investigation is continuing, however, because of preliminary findings the 16-year-old juvenile was charged with Driving to Endanger-Death Resulting (felony) and Driving to Endanger-Serious Bodily Injury (felony).
The 16-year-old juvenile was held overnight at the Rhode Island Training School pending an arraignment in Providence Family Court.
The Little Compton Police Department thanked the Little Compton Fire Department, the Tiverton Fire Department, the Rhode Island State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Forensic Service Unit for their assistance with this incident.
The department also extend their deepest sympathies to the families and friends affected by this tragedy.
