Bryant University basketball head coach faces hit-and-run charge

Alex Dube,
This is a photo of Bryant Men's Basketball Head Coach Jared Grasso. (WLNE)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The head coach of the Bryant University men’s basketball team is facing a misdemeanor charge following his arrest at the beginning of the month.

According to the North Smithfield Police Department, at approximately 8:12 a.m. on Oct. 1, officers were dispatched to the area of the West Acres Interchange on Route 146 for a report of a car crash where one car fled the scene.

When officers arrived, the driver of a car that was stuck told them she was driving in the right lane on Rt. 146 when another car began passing her on the left at a high rate of speed.

The victim told police the car sideswiped her and she pulled off the road but the other car did not. The victim was able to get the plate of the car that fled and identified the car as a white Buick Enclave.

Officers were able to trace the license plates back to 43-year-old Jared Grasso, of North Smithfield. The victim said she wanted to press charges so police followed up the next day.

On Oct. 2, at approximately 12:58 p.m., officers arrived at Grasso’s home where they said they found a white Buick Enclave with scratches and black paint marks on its side.

When police confronted Grasso about the damage and the accident, he responded saying he found his car in that condition while leaving a restaurant that night. He also said he spoke to his attorney, who told him not to go to police.

After further questioning at his home, Grasso admitted to officers that he was driving the car that night but when confronted about charges, he told officers that there was “an attack going on.”

Officers said he began acting erratically after being told about his role as a suspect in this incident and became uncooperative.

Eventually, Grasso, his wife and lawyer agreed on a day for him to turn himself in to police. It was later learned that Grasso called 911 multiple times while the officer was questioning him at his home.

On Oct. 3. at approximately 9 a.m., police said Grasso and his lawyer arrived at the North Smithfield Police Department for boking where he was charged and issued a court summons for failing to stop for an accident resulting in damage to a vehicle.

Grasso posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Oct. 4 in which said he would be “taking a break” from the website.

Court documents obtained by ABC 6 News say that Grasso is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Oct. 24.

Back in April of 2022, Bryant University Director of Athletics Bill Smith announced a contract extension for Grasso through the 2026-27 season.

Categories: News, Rhode Island

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