EAST PROVIDENCE — A 20-year-old Rehoboth man was charged for his role in a fiery drag-racing accident that left part of Interstate 195 in city shuttered for a period of time on Tuesday night, Sept. 15.
At 8:30 p.m., members of the Rhode Island State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks responded to investigate a one car motor vehicle accident in the eastbound lanes of 195 at exit 5 in East Providence. Members of East Providence Fire/Rescue and East Providence Police Departments also responded.
The preliminary accident investigation revealed Stephen T. Conti, of 107 Providence St., Rehoboth, was operating a red, 2004, Nissan 350Z, two-door sedan in the eastbound lanes of 195, prior to exit 5. Witnesses who stopped at the scene told police Mr. Conti was racing another vehicle when he lost control of his car, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a light pole and an embankment. Mr. Conti’s vehicle then traveled back onto the eastbound lanes and stopped in the right middle lane. Mr. Conti and a passenger exited their vehicle as it caught on fire.
East Providence Fire personnel extinguished the fire. Both Mr. Conti and his passenger refused treatment by East Providence Rescue. Mr. Conti was arrested and was charged with Reckless Driving. He later appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was released on $1,000 Personal Recognizance pending a re-arraignment on October 2 at the Sixth Division of the District Court in Providence.
A person convicted of Reckless Driving shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the first conviction and a felony for the second and each subsequent conviction.
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