One dead after early morning crash in Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) – The Newport Police Department is investigating after an early morning crash took the life of a 19-year-old woman.

According to police, the accident happened just before 1 a.m., on Saturday.  The car struck a stationary object in the area of Brenton and Wickham Roads, killing one passenger.

On Monday, Newport police identified the victim as Katelin Pimental, of Middletown, Rhode Island.

The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Dekiah Laitola, of Swansea, Massachusetts, has been charged with Driving to Endanger Death Resulting.

According to Lieutenant April Amaral, the other occupants in the vehicle sustained minor injuries.

Friends and family of Katelin are raising money for funeral expenses.  To learn more, click here.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020