Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

CUMBERLAND, R.I. -- A local man is charged with drunken driving and attempting to elude the police after his involvement in two crashes that injured three people on busy roads in Cumberland and Lincoln Tuesday afternoon, according to the police.

Kenneth Iaciofano, 21, was seen weaving across the road lanes and driving at speeds reaching 80 miles an hour, as he attempted to flee from an officer investigating a crash in Cumberland, said Cumberland Deputy Police Chief Michael Kinch.

Iaciofano's flight ended in Lincoln, when he crashed into two other cars, injuring three people, said Lincoln Police Capt. Raymond Bousquet.

Another motorist first noticed Iaciofano on Route 116 at around 5 p.m. and called the Cumberland police because Iaciofano drove onto a sidewalk, and then rear-ended another car, Kinch said.

When Cumberland Officer Brandon Vadenais arrived to investigate the accident, Iaciofano sped off, Kinch said. The officer followed him and saw Iaciofano weaving across the lanes of traffic, narrowly missing head-on collisions with other vehicles, Kinch said.

Iaciofano was speeding well ahead of the officer, who lost sight of him briefly when the motorist crossed into Lincoln, Kinch said. As the officer came over the crest of the road, through the narrows on Lonsdale Avenue, he saw Iaciofano's vehicle had crashed into two others, Kinch said.

Iaciofano had sped through a red light, and then rear-ended one car and slammed into another in the oncoming lane on Lonsdale Avenue, said Lincoln Captain Bousquet. The two other drivers -- John Charbatji, 23, of Central Falls, and Veronica Revoredo, 28, of Pawtucket -- were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, as was Revoredo's passenger, Marcia Medeiros, 35.

Iaciofano was also treated at the hospital and discharged to face hs arraignment Wednesday in 6th District Court.

He is facing on charges from Cumberland for driving to endanger, resulting in personal injury, driving under the influence, reckless driving/eluding police, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Lincoln police have also charged Iaciofano with driving to endanger, resulting in personal injury.

(An earlier version of this report was posted at 10:37 a.m.)

 Tags  Cumberland police Cumberland RI

Comments

asIseeit said:

Oh man, he needs to get Billy Murphy for his atty. Then he'll only see what, 3 days in the big house, right? Remember, in RI drunk drivers--get nothing!!

Link | June 17, 2009 10:44 AM
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Crazy said:

Great. Now we have to worry about drunken drivers in the middle of the afternoon.

Link | June 17, 2009 11:14 AM
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george said:

Spartans dont pull over for the law. and they dont drive sober either.. this man is a true spartan.

Link | June 17, 2009 1:07 PM
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mother said:

I saw this man on my way home before he crashed. He could have killed me and left my child motherless. What a frightening thought to be coming home from work with a loser like this out in traffic. We need our state to get stricter on drunk driving before more innocent people lose their lives to idiots like this one. What was he thinking fleeing the scene? He was going to get away???? DUH!!!!!!11

Link | June 17, 2009 3:12 PM
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neighbor said:

They actually released him?? I saw the results of the crash on Lonsdale Ave. You could hardly recognize that they were even vehicles! I don't understand why noone was killed. When are they going to put up cameras at Lonsdale and Front St. Vehicles run those red lights EVERY day.

Link | June 17, 2009 11:42 PM
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Karl said:

I served in Iraq with Ken. He was my friend, and he had a lot of problems. I don't mean to downplay the trouble he has caused, and I'm sorry he hurt so many people. My friend shouldn't have committed those actions. There must be some way to curb this kind of behavior. I don't think that licensing for drivers should be so easy, since cars cause more deaths than weapons in our country. Possibly the driving age should be raised, and standards for automotive proficiency should be higher. Either way there are far too many people who are distracted, intoxicated, or unable to drive safely on the roads right now. If you want to get dangerous drivers off the streets, you need to create stricter laws to govern the privileges and responsibilities of motorists. Complaining on the internet might be satisfying, but it won't do anything. Start a petition. Write to your local Congress Representative. I think certain benefits should be earned, not given.

Link | November 17, 2009 2:43 PM
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