Driver in Excess of 90 mph Before Fatal Cranston Crash, Remains Unidentified

CRANSTON, RI—The victim of a horrific fiery crash on Pontiac Avenue in Cranston early Saturday morning was travelling in excess of 90 mph before losing control.

Cranston Police Major Todd Patalano said the victim is still unidentified and a positive ID will "remain unknown pending an autopsy and investigation by the Rhode Island Medical Examner."

The preliminary investigation shows that the victim was in a red 2004 GMC Envoy traveling north on Pontiac Avenue when the vehicle failed to navigate a bend in the road near Phillips Memorial Baptist Church.

The GMC struck a traffic control signal pole and a cement block wall before ending up upside down. It then burst into flames with the victim trapped inside.

Police said the evidence at the scene suggests the vehicle caught fire, "completely consuming the vehicle and what traffic investigators believe at this time was a single occupant," Patalano said.

Police at the scene tried to get close but were kept back from the extreme heat and flames, which were followed by small explosions.

"This is a very difficult and tragic incident handled by our first responding officers and investigators. We express our deepest sympathy to the family of the deceased occupant,” Patalano said.

The accident, which happened shortly before 1:30 a.m., remains under investigation by the department's Accident Reconstructionist Unit, detectives and the Bureau of Criminal Identification. The state Fire Marshal's Office and the state Medical Examiner's Office are also investigating.

On Saturday afternoon, a police cruiser was parked across the street from the accident scene and officers walked up and down Pontiac Avenue asking neighbors nearby if they heard or saw anything before the crash.

Damaged landscaping and the charred ground at the crash scene show the severity of the crash and fire.

Photos courtesy: Walter Belonos