One person is dead and two others seriously injured after a fiery crash that took place early on Thursday.
According to Portsmouth Police, at just after 1:15 a.m., a Portsmouth Police officer observed a white sedan traveling southbound on West Main Road in the area of Mill Lane at a speed of 58 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. The officer attempted to stop this vehicle by activating the police cruiser’s emergency lights. The vehicle slowed and moved to the right side of the roadway, then rapidly accelerated from the officer.
The officer activated his emergency siren in addition to the emergency lights of the cruiser and began to follow the vehicle as it continued southbound on West Main Road. The vehicle failed to stop with speeds estimated to be 80-90 mph. At that time, the officer terminated the attempted traffic stop in the vicinity of West Main Road and Union Street in accordance with department policy.
The Middletown Police were subsequently notified of the vehicle entering their jurisdiction. A short time later, the Portsmouth Police learned that the vehicle collided with a utility pole in the area of Linden Park in Middletown – approximately 3.4 miles from the location where the Portsmouth Officer terminated the attempted traffic stop. The Portsmouth Police responded to the location of the crash and assisted Middletown Police at the scene.
According to Middletown Police, officers responded and found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. Officers removed the driver and front-seat passenger from the vehicle. Tragically, a rear-seat passenger could not be extricated and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Middletown Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The driver and front-seat passenger sustained serious injuries and were transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.
Investigators have now charged 32-year-old Jerry Bonilla, of the Bronx, New York, with the following offenses:
1. Driving Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs, Resulting in Death-First Offense
2. Driving Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs, Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury-First Offense
3. Driving to Endanger, Resulting in Death
4. Driving to Endanger, Resulting in Personal Injury
Bonilla was arraigned at approximately 1:30 p.m. Bail was set at $500,000 with surety, and he was remanded to the Adult Correctional Institution.
The deceased victim was a child under the age of 3.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Middletown Police and the Rhode Island State Police.
The Rhode Island State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to assist with the investigation which is ongoing.
