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WPD Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash Wednesday

Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.

UPDATE – 2:24 P.M. OCT. 15: Warwick Police have identified the motorcyclist killed in a single motorcycle crash Oct. 14 as Richard Willette, aged 77, of 1 Baycliff Dr.

“It appears that Mr. Willette might have suffered from a medical episode prior to the accident. We are still asking that any person with information related to the accident is requested to contact Officer Elderkin of the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division at 401-468-4335,” Warwick Police reported in their update.

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police have asked the public’s help in their investigation of a single-vehicle fatal motorcycle crash near 2250 West Shore Road at 11 a.m. Oct. 14.

The identity of the motorcycle rider, a 77-year-old Warwick man, has not been released pending notification of his family, according to Captain Michael Lima of the Community Services Division.

Warwick Fire/EMS responded to West Shore Road this morning for a report of a crash with injuries involving a motorcycle. Officers arrived to find a single motorcycle in the woods and bystanders tending to the rider, Lima reported.

The male operator was found unresponsive upon arrival by officers and EMS. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Initial investigation reveals that a motorcycle, operated by the man, was traveling westbound on West Shore Road. The motorcycle left the road, travelled along the sidewalk, and then crossed all three lanes of traffic on West Shore Road. The motorcycle ultimately came to rest in a wooded area at the corner of West Shore Road and Pearl Avenue, Lima said.

The Warwick Police Traffic Unit reconstruction team is investigating the crash. At this time it appears speed/alcohol/distracted driving were not a factor in this accident. Any person with information related to the accident is requested to contact Officer Elderkin of the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division at 401-468-4335.

 

 

 

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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