Speeding Teen Killed Elderly Man In Cranston Crash: Cops

CRANSTON, RI — A 16-year-old was driving nearly 50 mph over the speed limit when he crashed head-on with another car and killed an 84-year-old man, police said.

The teen, a Cranston resident, was charged in Rhode Island Family Court Thursday with driving to endanger resulting in death and driving to endanger resulting in physical injury in connection with the May 18 fatal wreck. The police also issued citations charging him with speeding, conditions requiring reduced speed, lane roadways violation and use of a personal wireless communication device by a minor while operating a motor vehicle.

The teen was placed on home confinement with electronic monitoring and ordered to surrender his driver’s license.

The 16-year-old was behind the wheel of an Infiniti G37 on Pippin Orchard Road shortly after 10 p.m., driving 74 mph in a 25 mph zone, when he "failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the double yellow centerline" and struck a Mercedes-Benz GLA head-on, police said.

"Following the collision, the Infiniti continued off the roadway and struck a tree," police said.

A front-seat passenger in the Mercedes, Jack Safford, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery, according to police.

Safford died two days later, police said.

According to his obituary, Safford, a Providence native who was residing in Florida at the time of the crash, died the day before his 85th birthday.

The driver of the Mercedes — Safford’s daughter — was treated for minor injuries, police said.

The 16-year-old was treated for minor injuries at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and a passenger in the Infiniti fled the scene before officers arrived.

The teen received his learner’s permit in September and was issued a provisional license April 21, 2025.