URI Student Charged with DUI after Serious Crash

A University of Rhode Island student is accused of driving drunk and crashing into another car on Route 138 that sent several people to the hospital.

South Kingstown police said Matthew Iaiennaro, 18, of Southbury, Conn., rear-ended a car after leaving the Chi Phi Fraternity on Friday night. The impact caused damage to Iaiennaro’s Chevy Cobalt and the Honda Accord he slammed into as well as injuring his 22-year-old passenger.

The passenger was sent to Rhode Island Hospital for serious injuries while Iaiennaro was treated for minor injuries.

The driver of the Honda was transported to South County Hospital for minor injuries.

Police said Iaiennaro showed signs of being drunk at the crash scene and later admitted to drinking before driving.

Police charged Iaiennaro with driving under the influence involving serious bodily injury, driving to endanger resulting in bodily injury and refusing a chemical test.

The univeristy said in a release that Chi Phi has been placed under emergency suspension. The fraternity had already been put on probation for violating the school’s substance abuse policy this fall.

Iaiennaro was released on $5,000 surety bail. He is due to return to court for a felony screening conference on Dec. 15.