Suspect in fatal Seekonk hit and run arraigned on charges, held on bail

Jeremy Schmidt, the 27-year-old East Providence, RI man charged in connection with a fatal hit and run crash that occurred in Seekonk on Thursday, was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail during his arraignment this morning in Taunton District Court.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the defendant was arraigned on charges of Negligent Motor Vehicle Homicide while Operating Under the Influence, Leaving the Scene-Death Resulting, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Marked Lanes Violations. He is due back in court on October 31.

A 37-year-old Seekonk woman who was struck by a vehicle Thursday night while she walked along Newman Avenue in Seekonk with her 10-year-old son died as a result of her injuries.

The suspect did not stop his vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, after the crash, and fled across the state line after striking the victim.

Seekonk Police responded to the area of 893 Newman Avenue Thursday night around 6:46 p.m. for a reported hit and run incident involving a pedestrian. When first responders arrived, they found the a male passerby rendering aid to the victim, who was later identified as Antonieta Vargas. The victim was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

The case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to this office, prosecutor, Seekonk Police and Rhode Island State Police.