Authorities release name of 20-year-old woman killed in East Providence crash

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Authorities have released the name of a woman killed in a weekend crash.

According to police, on Sunday, East Providence Police responded to the area of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Crowne Avenue just after 1:00 am for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Once on scene, officers observed a white Kia sedan with heavy front-end damage. The operator was identified as 20-year-old Chaz Gagnon of Pawtucket, RI. Gagnon sustained serious injuries to his lower body. A female passenger in the front seat was unconscious and sustained serious injuries. The passenger was identified as 20-year-old Ariana Roody of Woonsocket, RI. Both Gagnon and Roody were transported to Rhode Island Hospital by rescue. Roody later died at the hospital due to the injuries sustained during the crash.

Several minutes prior to the crash, patrol officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Bullocks Point Village apartment complex. During the investigation, Gagnon provided a false name to police officers and fled the parking lot, driving over an island divider and curbing before fleeing the scene. A description of the vehicle was broadcast to other units. The officers did not pursue the vehicle due to heavy fog and the unknown nature of the offenses or if warrants existed.

Gagnon is currently facing the charges of Driving to Endanger, Death Resulting, Reckless Driving/Eluding Police, Obstructing an Officer in Execution of Duty Fugitive From Justice (3 counts).

Gagnon was held without bail and is still in custody at Rhode Island Hospital recovering from injuries sustained in the crash.

The department’s Traffic Unit and Crash Reconstruction continue to investigate the crash. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.