South Kingstown Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash On Jamestown Bridge

JAMESTOWN, RI — A South Kingstown man died Thursday afternoon after his motorcycle crashed into a van on the Jamestown Bridge, according to Rhode Island State Police.

State police said the crash happened around 3:35 p.m. on Route 138 eastbound on the Jamestown Bridge. According to state police, a motorcyclist was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic before he struck the rear of a Ford Transit van in the right lane.

The motorcyclist was rushed to Newport County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. State police identified the motorcyclist as Jonathan Hopkins, 34.

State police said a 51-year-old man from New Bedford, Massachusetts was driving the van and had a 48-year-old passenger. Neither were hurt, and the driver is not facing charges, state police said.

The eastbound lanes were closed for about a half hour, and one westbound lane was closed for responding emergency vehicles. All four travel lanes were reopened just after 5:00 p.m., state police said.

Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com.