Two sent to the hospital after Rhode Island highway wrong-way crash led to driver fleeing from police

A man was arrested Saturday evening after reportedly driving the wrong way on the highway and then running from police.

According to Rhode Island State Police, just after 7:00 p.m., a 2017 Kia Optima entered onto Route 37 West traveling the wrong way (east) from Natick Avenue in Cranston. The operator, identified as 56-year-old Jay J. Petit, 56, of Oakdale, CT continued along for just under half-a-mile in the second lane while passing multiple vehicles the wrong way. The operator then merged onto the exit-ramp from Route 295 North to Route 37 West, still traveling the wrong way, and travelled approximately 800 feet on the exit-ramp until it struck a second vehicle, a 2017 Honda Accord, head-on.

Petit fled the scene on foot and was later located and taken into custody. He was transported to Roger Williams Hospital.

Petit was charged with Driving to Endanger Resulting in Personal Injury, Driving while Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury – First Offense, BAC Unknown, Duty to Stop in Accident Resulting in Injury, Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty, and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test- First Offense.

Petit was later arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released to the care of Roger Williams Medical Center.

The operator of the Honda Accord was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.