North Kingstown basketball team honors woman killed in suspected DUI crash

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — A North Kingstown woman’s legacy was honored Tuesday night after she was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver last summer.

Linda Sherman was remembered as a beloved member of the North Kingstown basketball community, with the North Kingstown High School girls basketball team holding a moment of silence.

“We thought it was a great idea to host a game in her honor,” head coach Bob Simeone said. “She was very important to our community and the youth she was involved with in basketball.”

Sherman was hit and killed while cycling on Boston Neck Road in June — she was just 53-years-old.

“It’s a devastating thing to happen to a person,” Simeone said. “The first thing I thought of was her daughter, Anina.”

Simeone coached Linda’s daughter and said he was well acquainted with her passion for the sport.

“Linda was just a wonderful person,” Simeone said. “Outgoing, always came to our games, supported our team.”

The driver who police said hit Linda was a former Providence police officer: 59-year-old Daniel Famiglietti.

Famiglietti was arrested for suspicion of DUI, pleading not guilty back in October.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving partnered with North Kingstown High School on Tuesday, using Linda’s story to help raise awareness.

“It’s a way to remember her and to remind the community how important it is to make the right decision, to not get behind the wheel if they are impaired,” MADD program manager Jennifer O’Neil said.

Simeone hoped that message would provide a silver lining to a tragic event.

“I think everything has a good ending,” he said. “Because it’s going to give the knowledge of what’s going on and awareness, especially to all the kids.”

Simeone and the Skippers won big Tuesday in Linda’s honor.

Famiglietti’s DUI case was slated to reappear on the docket for a pre-trial hearing in superior court Wednesday.