Identity of 44-year-old Rhode Island motorcycle rider released as details of fatal crash revealed

CRANSTON, R.I.- The Cranston Police Department is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred Monday evening on Niantic Avenue near the Cranston/Providence line.

According to police, at just before 9:30 p.m., officers responded to the area of 245 Niantic Avenue for a reported serious motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle was identified as Kou Lee, 44, of West Warwick.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Lee was operating a 2025 Harley-Davidson Sportster Revolution Max motorcycle southbound on Niantic Avenue at a high rate of speed. According to witnesses, the motorcycle failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, striking the curb before colliding with a utility pole near the entrance to the Lang’s Bowlarama parking lot. The motorcycle then continued riderless before tumbling and coming to rest in the parking lot of Graybar at 245 Niantic Avenue. Lee, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle during the crash.

Lee was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 9:48 p.m.

The crash scene was processed by the Cranston Police Traffic Unit with assistance from the Department’s Bureau of Criminal Identification. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and examining whether speed, impairment, or other contributing factors played a role in the crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Cranston Police Department at 401-942-2211. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting the keyword CRANSTONPD to 847411.