Suspect in fatal East Providence hit-and-run says he thought he hit a dog

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Maria Raposo, 46, was killed Monday night as she crossed Newport Avenue in East Providence and was struck by a vehicle.

Paul Newman, 53, was visiting from Florida when police say he hit Raposo with his red SUV.

Newman fled the scene. A witness followed him and called his license plate number into police. Police tracked the plate to a rental car agency, who said Newman had just come in and swapped vehicles because he thought he had hit a dog. 

Meanwhile, Raposo was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Newman turned himself in to police and appeared before a judge Tuesday to face charges for leaving the scene of an accident death resulting.

Newman’s lawyer said he has no criminal record and is posting bail. He will be back in court in November.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017