Rhode Island man sentenced in Bristol County crash that killed two, including Randall Ricketts

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III announced that a 52-year-old Rhode Island man was sentenced in the Fall River Superior Court this afternoon by the Honorable Rene Dupuis.

After a guilty plea, Joseph Pompei of Cranston will serve a State Prison sentence of 6 to 10 years with 5 years probation for 2 counts of Motor Vehicle Homicide by Reckless Operation and one count of Leaving the Scene Death Resulting that occurred on August 28, 2023, in North Attleboro.

On August 28, 2023, Massachusetts State Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 95 North and South in North Attleboro. 

Upon arrival, police located a Cadillac and Jaguar that collided head on in the north bound lane.  The Jaguar was observed to have catastrophic damage.  The driver of that vehicle and sole occupant, 58-year-old Randall Ricketts was pronounced deceased on scene.  The operator of the Cadillac, identified as 61-year-old James Griffin was transported to a Massachusetts hospital where later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.  A 29-year-old female along with a 5-year-old child, who were passengers in the Cadillac, were also injured as a result of the collision. 

The police investigation revealed that the defendant, who was operating an older model Buick Sedan, was travelling at a high rate of speed on 95 south. While driving recklessly, the defendant’s vehicle clipped the right front tire of the Cadillac.  That initial collision projected the Cadillac across the median into 95 north where it struck the Jaguar head on.  Shortly after the collision and after leaving the scene of the crash, the defendant was observed changing his tire by an off-duty police officer in Attleboro.  The defendant was later arrested by the Massachusetts State Police. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Russ Eonas and Karlyn Butler.

“Two innocent people lost their lives because of the defendant’s reckless operation of his vehicle.  It is yet another tragic example of the carnage we see on the roadways by individuals who continue to operate their vehicles recklessly and with complete disregard for the safety and well-being of others.  The sentence imposed by the court is appropriate for the defendant leaving the scene and the irreparable damage caused to the victims and their families,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.