Police ID bicyclist killed in Warwick accident

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

Police have identified the bicyclist killed in a Warwick car accident on Friday.

Just after 6 p.m., 64-year-old Charles Hawkins, of North Providence, was struck by a vehicle in the area of 850 Bald Hill Road.  He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries where he later died. Police say he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the operator of the striking vehicle, a 23-year-old male from Cranston, was traveling north on Bald Hill Road in the left lane when he hit Hawkins, who appeared to be walking his bicycle across the roadway.

Warwick’s accident reconstruction team is still investigating but police say alcohol does not seem to be a factor in the accident. It is unknown if charges will be filed against the driver, pending the investigation.

Hawkins was a former political aide for former Governor Lincoln Chafee, as well as his father, the late John Chafee. The former Governor released a statement about the sudden loss, "My Dad and I enjoyed working with Charlie very much. He was an important part of Dad's reelection team in 1988 and I know Dad valued his savvy advice in that tough campaign. It's a very sad loss but we know he died doing something he loved, riding his bike for some time at a Rhode Island beach. Charlie was unique and special."

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact the Warwick Police Traffic Division at (401) 468-4293.

© WLNE-TV 2015