Police release name of victim in fatal Jamestown Bridge motorcycle crash involving Rhode Island and New Bedford residents

Authorities have released the name of a man killed in a Rhode Island highway crash.

According to Rhode Island State Police, on Thursday, just after 3:30 p.m., members of the Rhode Island State Police Wickford Barracks responded to a two-car crash on Route 138 East on the Jamestown Bridge. The investigation revealed that a motorcycle, being operated by 34-year-old Jonathan W. Hopkins of South Kingstown, RI, was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic. The motorcycle then struck the rear of a Ford Transit van in the right lane of travel, being operated by a 51-year-old New Bedford resident.

Hopkins was transported to Newport County Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The operator and a 48-year-old passenger of the van were uninjured.

The eastbound lanes were closed for approximately 30 minutes and one westbound lane was closed for responding emergency vehicles. All four travel lanes were reopened just after 5:00 p.m.

There are no criminal charges or moving violations for the operator of the Ford Transit van pending at this time.