No charges for driver after 5-year-old hit by car in Warwick

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — The Warwick said that the driver who hit a 5-year-old on Boylston Street on Oct. 2 would not face charges.

Police said the driver was an off duty Rhode Island State Trooper who was “extremely distraught” when police interviewed them.

The 5-year-old was taken to the hospital with “serious but non-life-threatening” injuries and was expected to recover.

The driver initially left the scene but returned later and cooperated with police, and had no sings of impairment, which caused investigators to rule it an accident.

The Warwick Police Department released the following details on the investigation:

Video surveillance depicts the involved vehicle travelling east on Boylston Street towards Palmer Avenue. To the operator’s left, on the side of the street, are two other young juveniles. Simultaneous to the vehicle passing them, the victim exits a slightly pitched driveway, which was to the right of the vehicle, while riding a skateboard, lying face down. The victim and skateboard then enter the roadway directly into the path of the vehicle. After contact, the vehicle can be seen proceeding at the same speed. The vehicle did not exhibit any abnormal or evasive measures after impact and the vehicle had no visible damage once inspected. The investigation, to this point, indicates this is simply an unfortunate accident. There is no indication that the operator knew he struck a child or that he knowingly left the scene. The investigation revealed no signs of impairment, distracted driving, excessive speed, or reckless behavior on the part of the operator.