Westport man killed in Friday morning crash

Rhode Island State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 95 South in the town of West Greenwich.

According to RISP, the deceased is identified as Russell J. Nauta, 68, of Westport, Massachusetts. He was transported from the scene by emergency medical services and later pronounced dead at Kent County Hospital. He was the driver and only occupant of a grey Toyota sport utility vehicle traveling on Route 95 south in the town of West Greenwich when the crash occurred.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. this morning, Troopers from the Rhode Island State Police Hope Valley Barracks responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash on Route 95 south, south of Weaver Hill Road. Upon arrival at the crash scene, troopers observed a multi-vehicle collision with injuries involving a tow truck.

The preliminary investigation indicates the tow truck was stopped and in the process of loading a disabled motor vehicle when a third vehicle entered the breakdown lane and collided with the stopped tow truck. The tow truck operator and the motorist whose vehicle was in the process of being towed were not injured. There were no lane restrictions at the time of the crash. The tow truck is owned by Astro Wrecker Services in West Warwick.

The investigation is ongoing by Troopers from the Hope Valley Barracks, State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, and members from the State Police Forensic Services Unit.

Anyone with information about the crash may contact the Hope Valley Barracks at 401-444-1068.