Rhode Island State Police release name of man killed in fiery highway crash

A man killed in a fiery weekend highway crash has been identified.

According to Rhode Island State Police, on Saturday, 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.

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.