Skateboarder-Pickup Crash Oct. 2: Driver Unaware

WARWICK, RI  — Warwick Police report their investigation into a Skateboarder-Pickup Crash on Boylston Street Thursday has determined the driver was unaware the youth, 5, had ridden under their truck.

The driver, a member of the RI State Police, did not know they’d struck anyone at the time they’d left the scene of the incident, according to police.

No charges have been filed against the driver. The investigation, so far, “indicates this is simply an unfortunate accident,” Warwick Police reported in a statement about the investigation.

“There is no indication that the operator knew he struck a child or that he knowingly left the scene. The investigation revealed no signs of impairment, distracted driving, excessive speed, or reckless behavior on the part of the operator,” Warwick Police noted in a statement about the investigation.

As of Friday, the child remains under the care of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, recovering from non-life-threatening  injuries.

Skateboarder-Pickup Crash Investigation: No speeding, no impairment

Responding officers released a video image showing the pickup on the Warwick Police Facebook page, and began searching the area for the truck. Investigators learned the vehicle likely belonged to a neighbor, an off-duty member of the Rhode Island State Police. Investigators spoke with the driver, reporting the person was “Extremely distraught,” after being informed of the circumstances, and met with police immediately.

The driver was interviewed, and the pickup was towed and is being held as the investigation continues.

The investigation includes review of home video security camera footage showing the incident. That footage, police reported, depicts the pickup driver headed east on Boylston Street toward Palmer Avenue. To the driver’s left, on the side of the street, were two young juveniles, police report.

As the pickup passes the youths,  the 5-year-old, riding a skateboard, lying face-down, exits a slightly pitched driveway,   to the right of the vehicle. The skateboarder then enters the road directly in the path of the pickup. After contact, the vehicle can be seen proceeding at the same speed. The vehicle did not exhibit any abnormal or evasive measures after impact and the vehicle had no visible damage once inspected, according to police