Woonsocket Man Found Guilty In Fatal Crash

WOONSOCKET, RI — A Woonsocket man has been found guilty in connection with a fatal vehicle accident that occurred in 2017, which resulted in the death of Eric Salazar. Mitchell Savard, 43, was found guilty of two reckless driving charges on Friday at Providence County Superior Court.

The accident occurred on the morning of March 30, 2017. According to the Attorney General's Office, Savard became involved in a road rage incident, causing a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 295 in the area of Johnston.

Attorney General's Office stated that Savard was driving north on I-295 when he passed into the middle lane in front of a tow truck. The driver of the truck honked the horn, and Savard then abruptly braked, coming to a complete stop. Savard's sudden braking caused a chain reaction, in which the tow truck and the traffic behind it were forced to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, Attorney General's Office stated.

Salazar, who was driving the tow truck, was unable to stop in time. A box truck crashed in to the back of the tow truck, killing Salazar and seriously injuring Salazar's passenger.

According to the Attorney General's Office, Savard was found guilty on Friday after a four-day trial. The jury deliberated for four hours before finding him guilty on the charges — one reckless driving charge with death resulting, and one reckless driving charge with serious injury resulting.

Savard is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date, Attorney General's Office stated.