5-Year-old-Boy Hit By Off-Duty Rhode Island State Trooper Who Left Scene: Cops

WARWICK, RI — The driver who struck a 5-year-old boy, seriously injuring him, and then drove off, was an off-duty Rhode Island State Police trooper, according to the Warwick Police Department.

The off-duty trooper was not charged in connection with the 3 p.m. Thursday incident, as the investigation showed "no indication that the operator knew he struck a child or that he knowingly left the scene," the Warwick police said in a media release.

The 5-year-old was hit on Boylston Street and transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence "with serious, but not life-threatening injuries," according to the release.

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During the ensuing investigation, officers determined the driver, who left without checking on the child, may have been a neighbor, the release said, and he was also an "off-duty member of the Rhode Island State Police."

"Investigators were able to speak with the operator, who was extremely distraught upon being informed of the circumstances, and agreed to meet with our investigators immediately," the release said.

On the day of the incident, the Warwick police released a statement that said the driver "initially left the scene but the operator and vehicle did return a short time later."

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On Friday, the Warwick police said "investigators did meet with the operator. The involved vehicle was towed and is being held pending the conclusion of the investigation."

"The operator was interviewed at length and subsequently released without charges," according to the release.

Police obtained video of the incident which shows the vehicle heading East on Boylston Street toward Palmer Avenue, according to the release.

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"To the operator’s left, on the side of the street, are two other young juveniles," the release said. "Simultaneous to the vehicle passing them, the victim exits a slightly pitched driveway, which was to the right of the vehicle, while riding a skateboard, lying face down. The victim and skateboard then enter the roadway directly into the path of the vehicle. After contact, the vehicle can be seen proceeding at the same speed. The vehicle did not exhibit any abnormal or evasive measures after impact and the vehicle had no visible damage once inspected."

Warwick police found no evidence that the off-duty trooper knew he struck the child, according to the release.

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"The investigation, to this point, indicates this is simply an unfortunate accident," the release said.

The investigation revealed no signs of impairment, distracted driving, excessive speed, or reckless behavior on the part of the operator," according to the release. At the time of this release, the victim is still under the care of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, recovering from his injuries."

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