Suit Claims Water Division Foreman Negligent in 2022 Crash

WARWICK, RI —A city supervisor named in a recent sexual harassment lawsuit is also the subject of a suit claiming the Warwick Water Division foreman negligent in a four-vehicle crash, 

The suit seeks the damages against the city and Michael S. Depetrillo, senior foreman at the Warwick Water Division, also one of several supervisors allegedly participating in an 18-month Warwick Sexual Harassment campaign against a Water Division staffer.

Water Division Foreman Michael DiPetrillo, a supervisor in the Warwick Water Division of the Department of Public Works, one of seven Warwick city managers named in a federal sexual harassment lawsuit, has been directly sued, along with the city, in a Jan. 4, 2024 Kent County Superior Court lawsuit for negligent operation of a City of Warwick vehicle on Bald Hill Road in 2022 in a four-vehicle crash. A copy of that suit is attached at the end of this article.

According to the Warwick Police crash report from that incident, the crash happened when a silver 2016 Chevy Silverado approaching a traffic light just turning green at the intersection to the Target plaza stopped because traffic in the intersection was backed up, according to the report.

Elizabeth Pestana of North Providence, the plaintiff, noted that although the Silverado had stopped  in front of her 2017 Toyota Corolla as the light turned green, she stopped her car, and waited with her foot on the brake for the Silverado to continue through the intersection, the report said.

As Pestana waited, her car was rear-ended and pushed into the rear of the Silverado. The responding officer spoke to a third driver, behind Pestana in a 2020 Chevy Silverado, who also stated he was completely stopped waiting in line at the intersection when he was rear-ended, sending his truck into the next vehicle.

The final vehicle in the serial rear-end crash was a 2022 Chevy Silverado, city registration 6027, driven by Michael DePetrillo, the only driver involved in the crash to report losing control of his vehicle. He told the officer he was approaching the green light, but heavy rain made it difficult to see. He said the vehicles in front of him came to an abrupt stop and he attempted to avoid striking the truck in front of him.

Pestana and the driver of the third vehicle were transported to Kent County Memorial Hospital with complaints of neck and back pain from the crash, according to the crash report.

Michael DiPetrillo reported no injuries. He drove his truck from the scene of the crash with heavy front-end and bumper damage. The third vehicle in the crash had damage to its front and rear bumpers. It was towed from the scene after the driver’s registration was discovered to be revoked. Pestana’s car had front and rear bumper damage and was also towed from the scene.

Suit: Water Division Foreman Negligent

“As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of Defendant, Michael S. DiPetrillo, Plaintiff sustained personal injuries, experienced pain and suffering, both mental and physical, and incurred medical expenses, all of which will continue into the future,” the lawsuit states.

The suit seeks judgment against the City of Warwick for compensatory damages “to fully compensate Plaintiff for her damages, plus interest and costs.” Dipetrillo lawsuit KC-2024-0018 Complaint