Lawmakers warn of ‘dangerous’ Smith Street after judge is critically hit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — As Superior Court Judge Richard Licht remains in critical condition after being hit by a car on Smith Street Wednesday, legislators are sounding the alarm about the ‘dangerous’ road.

The 74-year-old has served as judge since 2014, and formerly as Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor.

Police said he is in critical condition, but stable.

Rep. Karen Alzate said the double-lane road has been treacherous for those crossing for years.

“As much as I like to think we all use crosswalks, not everybody does,” she said. “So, it was scary to think if this happened to a judge it could happen to anybody.”

Alzate said the general assembly will address this. She fielded concerns from other legislators Thursday.

She added, “There was a couple texts of people just saying, ‘Hey, be careful coming in and out of the parking lot, look what happened’.”

Sen. Jessica de la Cruz prays for Licht and the driver.

“You don’t know if someone is distracted, or the sun is in their eyes, or the baby started crying in the back seat,” she said. “I just put myself in that position and I would be absolutely heartbroken. I don’t even think I’d be able to sleep that night.”

The driver who hit Licht faces no charges and remained on scene outside the State House Wednesday.