Update: Driver in Cranston fatal charged with DUI
12:02 PM Fri, Nov 20, 2009 | Permalink
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By Tatiana Pina and Kate Bramson WARWICK, R.I. -- Hours after a fatal crash in Cranston that killed one of his friends from the University of Rhode Island, the 19-year-old man driving the car was charged with drunk driving. Sonny Pham, of 22 Hartwell Drive, Foxboro, bowed his head in Third District Court Friday morning as Judge Mary McCaffrey arraigned him on a charge of driving under the influence, death resulting. The judge set bail at $15,000 with surety and forbade Pham from drinking alcohol. If he was caught drinking, McCaffrey said, his bail would be revoked. His friend Erica Rose, of 3748 Flat River Road, Coventry -- a sophomore education major at URI -- was riding in the back seat of Pham's Pontiac Grand Prix when the car crashed on Route 10 in Cranston at around 1:30 a.m. The state police said the car lost control in the rain, swerved into the median, hit a guardrail, and skidded across the two northbound lanes before stopping in the breakdown lane. Rose, 19, was killed, and another passenger, Valerie Goulet, of 28 West Walnut St., Milford, Mass., appeared to have minor injuries, according to the state police. Goulet also attends URI. Pham was not injured. None wore a seat belt, said state police Lt. Arnold "Skip" Buxton. The prosecution told the judge that Pham had failed the field sobriety test and took a Breathlyzer, which showed a blood-alcohol content of .091 at first, and then .092 sometime later. His attorney, John Bevilacqua, tried unsuccessfully to convince the judge to release Pham on his own recognizance, saying he has no record and is a URI student with an uncle living in Rhode Island. Seven of Pham's relatives were in court. Afterward, Pham's mother, Helen, said that her son and Rose had known each other from school and were friends. "I am so sorry for what happened to Erica," she said.
This story was originally published at 7:16 a.m. and updated at 7:35 a.m., 8:41, 9:02 and 11:45 a.m. 
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Dearest sweet, Erica. I pray Jesus is holding you close to Him in His arms now. My heart is broken for your passing and for your family who must now live with this tragedy.I Love you, Auntie Pat
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My sympathies to the family of this young woman.
Please, everyone wear your seatbelts when you are in a car. In most fatal crashes the individuals would have survived if only they had been wearing their seatbelts.
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I cannot imagine the pain being felt by Erica's family as we feel so much pain ourselves. I do know that Jesus has taken her into His arms and carried her up to Heaven to dwell in the house of the Lord. It is not always a comfort for those left behind, but I hope we can all find peace in knowing that she is with Him.
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Dear Henry and Claire, my heart is aching with you and your family. Love, Renee
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Our deepest sympathy to the Rose family. May God comfort you in this most difficult time.
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Erica, the best applebuddy every! We will all miss you so much at the bees. You are beautiful in everyway inside and out. My deepest sympathies go out to the Rose family. Erica I hope you are somewhere special and you will always be in my heart. I pray that jesus makes you an angel in all our lives. Take care of my dad norm for me. I love you Erica!
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I will miss you greatly. I have enjoyed coaching you in CBA and CGSL. You had your whole life ahead of you and you would have done great things.
Claire, Henry, we lift you up to God at this time so that you might feel some comfort knowing she is with him. Always know that the CGSL and CBA Family will always be here to support your family through this horrible time.
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My family sends out their deepest sorrows. Life can change in an instant. I love you and will always remember you.
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God Bless Erica. Henry and Claire may God give you all strength in this unbearable situation you are faced with on this day and every day forward. May all her memories and spirit become a part of your courage that will forever keep her in your heart.
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Our hearts go out to the Rose family. May you rest in peace, Erica.
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To the Rose family....our thoughts and prayers are with you...and may Erica RIP... she is in heaven now and will be your special gaurdian angel...just remember all the memories thru out the years....she will live on forever in your hearts.....
The Ruest"s
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dear the claire's,
lvoe you all to deathhhh. i hope you to see you soon. i hope everyone gets well(: love you lots.xoxoxoxoxoxoxo. erica you were like an older sister to me and ill miss you very much throwing newspapers at you because of stupid reasons and you asking if i have gained a boyfriend yettt. well i hope you rest in peaceeee.
Love you Lots,
Little Red ( Jessica Det.)
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We were so saddened to hear the news this
morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with
Erica and family today. As parents of four
teenage children, our hearts are touched with
the overwhelming feeling of sorrow for the Rose family. We want to offer our deepest sympathy.
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I was the first to come across the accident as I was driving home last night from a friend's house. I wish so bad that there was something that I could have done to help. A seatbelt would not have saved Erica Rose, but an underage friend choosing not to drink would have. Or even if that friend had chosen not to drive. I know that punishing Level II for serving underage will not solve the problem, but maybe it will save a life or two. My heart goes out to Erica's family, as well as her friend Valerie and the boy that must live with this guilt for the rest of his life.
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So sad to see another life taken due to alcohol. Also, another life ruined. When will our children learn?
My deepest sympathy to Erica's and Pham's family. Both are grieving right now.
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I feel so badly for your loss, I can't imagine the pain and heartache you must be feeling.
My heart is heavy for you and your family.
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I can't begin to tell the Rose Family How sorry we are. May God bless you and wrap you in his loving arms. You are in my prayers.
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Our deepest sympathy to the Rose Family. Erica was a great kid and will be heavily missed by all the lives she touched.
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This is just another heart breaking, awful, event involving the youth of Rhode Island. So many people have been changed forever due to this tragedy. My heart goes out to the Rose family in their loss.
I will keep Erica, her friends and her family, in my thoughts every time I am working.
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erica, its seems like just yesterday our family was all together, an now that your in heaven the family is torn apart. we love you and miss you & forever youll be in our hearts. love always, your cousin melissa
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Our deepest sympathies go out to Henry and Claire on the loss of your daughter. Our heart and prayers go out to you.
Aunt Fran & Uncle Ed
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My heart goes out to the Rose Family. I'll never forget playing with Erica in all those extra-inning softball games. My family and I are praying for you.
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Henry & Claire;
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beautiful daughter Erica. Your in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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My heart goes out to Erica's family and friends. It was really tragic what happened, especially to Erica. She was such a great person. She will be missed very much. RIP Erica.
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Henry, Claire and Family,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you during this tragic time. Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. May God bless you and comfort you during this time of sorrow.
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I didn't know Erica well. I knew alot of people that knew her well. Whenever I did see Erica at Applebee's or in school, she was constantly smiling and being so friendly. What happened to her is so tragic, May she rest in peace.... I speak for all of Coventry when I say she's taught us a valuable lesson to everyone. I wish to all of the Rose family, my deepest sympthany and keep your head's up. Erica is watching over us now, God bless the Rose Family!
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