Providence man in critical condition two days after RIPTA accident

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man is in critical condition, two nights after a RIPTA bus ran him over while he was trying to catch it.

Alfredo Alomar, 49, had emergency surgery Saturday evening, according to Providence Police. Alomar was running toward the bus after it pulled away from the Stop & Shop on Manton Avenue around 5:15 p.m. when he lost his footing and fell into it. His right leg and foot were crushed after becoming lodged under the back tire.

"We gotta be careful when we cross…And the bus has to be careful too," said William Rosa of Providence. He had been hoping to catch that same bus but got there a few minutes late, describing a scene with heavy police presence.

The bus drivers are trained not to stop for anyone once they pull away, according to RIPTA spokesperson Barbara Polichetti. In January, officials released a video with several safety tips, telling riders not to run after the buses. They are reiterating that message now. "Please, please don’t chase the bus," said Polichetti. "Odds are the driver can’t see you and can’t hear you."

For some riders, that message is catching on. "It does make me think twice,” said Jackie Dumont of Pawtucket, adding from now on, she is “just going to sit and wait."

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