Trooper Struck on Route 95 South

At approximately 5:28 PM on December 28, 2021, a Trooper conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 South, just south of the Service Road overpass, in the City of Warwick. Both vehicles came to a stop completely in the breakdown lane located on the right side of the highway. The cruiser’s emergency lights were activated.

Seconds later, a Nissan sedan, traveling in the second lane of Route 95 South and approaching the Service Road overpass, veered across the first lane of travel and entered the breakdown lane. As a result, the front passenger side of the Nissan struck the rear driver’s side of the State Police cruiser. Subsequently, the cruiser, a Ford Explorer, was forced forward and struck the vehicle that had been pulled over, a Toyota sedan.

The operator of the Toyota reported no injuries and was released from the scene. The Trooper sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

The operator of the Nissan, identified as Richard Stanley, age 54, of Warwick, also sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he consented to provide a blood sample. He was later released, transported to State Police headquarters and arraigned in front of a justice of the peace for 1. Driving Under the Influence, 2. Driving to Endanger Resulting in Personal Injury.

“Our Troopers are putting themselves in harm’s way every day to assist motorists and enforce our traffic safety laws, but we need Rhode Islanders to do their part,” said Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. “Slow down and move over when you see an emergency vehicle and very simply, don’t drink and drive. This is the 19th time one of our cruisers has been hit this year and every incident could have ended in tragedy.”