Contact: Captain Frank B. Castellone, District "B" Commander, Rhode Island State Police Headquarters, (401) 444-1009
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Chief Thomas E. Coyle III of the East Greenwich Police, announce that at approximately 12:00 AM, on February 20, 2013, members of the Wickford Barracks received a broadcast from the East Greenwich Police Department that they were investigating a motor vehicle accident on Main Street involving a motor vehicle that struck two pedestrians and fled the scene. The Lincoln Woods Barracks simultaneously received a 911 call from an eyewitness that was following the vehicle involved in the hit and run accident on Route 95 north in City of Warwick. Based on the nature of how the vehicle was being operated and that it was traveling at high rate of speed, the caller advised that the operator appeared to be intoxicated. Troopers stopped the suspect vehicle on Route 44 West in the Town of Smithfield. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had sustained damage consistent with a car pedestrian motor vehicle accident, and the operator appeared highly intoxicated.
The operator is identified as Amanda Ashman, age 23 of 37 Pound Road in Glocester, RI. The incident was jointly investigated by the Rhode Island State Police and the East Greenwich Police Department, and as a result, Ms. Ashman was arrested and transported to State Police Headquarters and charged with the following:
• Driving Under the Influence of Liquor and or Drugs/Serious Bodily Injuries • Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Serious Bodily Injury (2 Counts) • Driving Under the Influence of Liquor and or Drugs 1st Offense, .15 or greater: (BAC .265/.261 ) • Possession of Marijuana • Driving While in Possession of Marijuana • Speeding (Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal) • Laned Roadway (Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal) • No Seat Belt (Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal)
Ms. Ashman was held overnight and will be arraigned in Third District Court this afternoon.
The joint investigation by the Rhode Island State Police and the East Greenwich Police is continuing today. Anyone that has information relative to this accident, please contact Captain Frank B. Castellone at 401-444-1009.
As always, The Rhode Island State Police will continue to aggressively enforce the motor vehicle laws with increased emphasis on speeding, driving while impaired, aggressive driving, texting violations, seatbelt, and child restraint violations.
Once again, we thank the motorists that call to report dangerous drivers on the roadway. They are a valuable asset in the fight against impaired driving. Motorists are reminded that they can immediately report dangerous drivers or hazardous roadway conditions to the police by dialing 911 or *77 on your cell phone.