Married father of 4 killed in fiery Rhode Island highway crash remembered as provider who was true to himself

A local man killed in a fiery highway crash in Rhode Island is being remembered.

According to Rhode Island State Police, on Saturday, August 16th, at 9:50 p.m., Troopers from the Rhode Island State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks responded to a crash involving a single motor vehicle on Route 146 South, just south of Route 116 in the Town of Lincoln.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the operator of the vehicle, identified as Michael Connell, age 42, of Providence, was traveling in the left lane of Route 146 south when he lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle consequently veered right and left the roadway before striking the guardrail and a utility pole that were located in the right shoulder of the roadway.

The collision caused the vehicle to become engulfed in flames. Lincoln Fire and Rescue personnel were able to extinguish the fire and declared Connell deceased on scene.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Connell, after a long day at work, was on his way home to his family of four children, three who are on the Autism Spectrum, and his wife.

“Mikey was such a great guy and loved by so many. He gave everything he had to his family and worked overtime hours as a highly skilled machinist to provide for his large family. Mikey is a huge loss to our family and his many friends. He was a dedicated husband, father, brother, and son. Mikey was a very special guy. He was truly one of a kind and was always true to himself. He will be forever cherished and forever missed. His legacy lives on in his four amazing boys.”

Services have not yet been announced.

The crash was investigated by members of the State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks and the Forensic Services Unit, Crash Reconstruction Unit, and assisted by members of the Lincoln Police Department.