Truck Crash Wrecks Boat Ramp Path

A Bristol man apparently lost control of his truck on the path to the Mount Hope boat ramp on March 9 and struck a recently-installed aluminum light pole.

Officers from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management enforcement division cited Alexander Motta, of 86 Bay View Ave., with leaving the lane of travel and failing to control his vehicle following the crash at about 3:30 pm Saturday afternoon.

Rep. Raymond Gallison (D-Bristol, Portsmouth) provided Bristol-Warren Patch with photos of the post-crash scene, and wrote in an email that he is "pretty upset by the damage [Motta] did," especially in light of the local representative's work to upgrade the boat ramp.

"I worked with former [RIDEM] Director Michael Sullivan to get the money to make this area what it is today, one of the best boat launch areas in the state," Gallison wrote.

Gallison also noted that a neighbor heard the crash and alerted Bristol Police. Since the boat ramp is state property, the case was turned over to RIDEM officers.

DEM Sgt. Daniel White reported that when he arrived at the scene, Bristol officers had already detained Motta.

In viewing the area, White wrote: "It was apparent the the truck had left the roadway over 100 feet to the north and plowed through the muddy area at a high rate of speed, lost control, and struck a brand new aluminum light pole."

The photos provided by Gallison show the white 1998 GMC Sierra pickup truck with damage to its right-front bumper and quarter panel.

Gallison's photos also showed deep ruts left in the muddy area near the boat ramp.

DEM Capt. Jack McIlmail said Motta is scheduled for an April 10 hearing at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal on the two citations.