‘Supposed to be a prank’: City employee accused of poisoning co-worker with windshield washer fluid

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The North Providence Police Department said a town employee was arrested after he allegedly poisoned a coworker at the Department of Public Works building in late June.

29-year-old Alessio D’Andrea, of Johnston, was charged with poisoning another.

According to North Providence police, D’Andrea allegedly filled a Gatorade bottle with windshield washer fluid and put it in the fridge at the building’s repair division.

Police added that two employees watched the alleged act.

A repair division employee then drank the fluid and “immediately realized that it was not Gatorade,” North Providence police said.

North Providence police said coworkers then told the employee that he drank windshield washer fluid and “that it was supposed to be a prank.”

The victim brought himself to the hospital, and stayed for a day and a half for observation.

After an investigation, North Providence police arrested D’Andrea on July 28.

D’Andrea is on unpaid administrative leave.