Rhode Island man released on bail after pedestrian collision that killed 56-year-old woman

A Rhode Island man was arraigned Monday concerning a fatal pedestrian crash.

Court records show that 30-year-old Richard D’Amico of Cranston has been charged with Duty to Stop in Accident Resulting in Death – 1st Offense.

According to police, at approximately 4:15 a.m. on January 11th, Cranston Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the area of 525 Scituate Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a female pedestrian who had suffered catastrophic injuries. The victim was discovered by an Amazon employee, who immediately contacted 911. 

Despite life-saving efforts, the pedestrian, 56-year-old Vaune Vaccaro was pronounced deceased on scene by the Cranston Fire Department at 4:23 a.m.

Cranston Police Department crash reconstructionists determined that Vaccaro was struck while in the westbound breakdown lane and was propelled approximately 42 feet. Evidence recovered at the scene, including debris and vehicle components, was consistent with a motor vehicle striking a pedestrian. 

At approximately 5:18 a.m., a Cranston resident arrived at the scene and spoke with investigators. They reported that earlier in the morning, Richard D’Amico, age 30, of Cranston, RI, told him he was traveling on Scituate Avenue during the early morning hours and believed he had struck something with his vehicle, possibly a deer or an object. The vehicle involved was identified as a 2023 Toyota Tacoma registered in Rhode Island. 

Officers subsequently located the vehicle at D’Amico’s residence. Damage observed on the Toyota Tacoma was consistent with the evidence found at the crash scene and a pedestrian strike. 

D’Amico was released on $5,000 surety bail and has a pretrial conference scheduled for July 7th.