Man arrested after fleeing accident in Warwick

By Jennifer Petracca

news@abc6.com

Warwick Police have arrested a man after he fled the scene of a car accident that seriously injured three people.

Police responded to the accident Wednesday night after a silver Ford pickup truck rear ended a Kia Soul, forcing it to strike a Hyundai. The pickup fled the scene continuing westbound towards Apponaug.

The operators and passengers of both the Hyundai and Kia were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

A short time later, officers at Kent County Hospital on an unrelated investigation were alerted to a person who had just been in a motor vehicle accident in Warwick. The subject later identified himself as John Rigney, 37, of Warwick, and admitted to being involved in the crash and fleeing the scene because he was scared.

Rigney told police he drove to the Kent Center before walking to the emergency room. His vehicle’s damage matched the physical evidence at the scene of the accident.

Rigney was arrested and charged with Duty to Stop in an Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Inury (Felony) as well as various motor vehicle offenses. Police say Rigney displayed signs of intoxication at the hospital and are investigating whether or not he was impaired at the time of the crash.

The Warwick Police Department is still investigating and has consulted with the Department of Attorney General on this case.     

Any person with information related to the collision is requested to contact the Warwick Police Department Traffic Division at (401)468-4343.

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