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As police release details of a recent crash, the family of the victim is dealing with another hardship.
On Wednesday at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Warwick Police Department responded to a car versus motorcycle crash in the area of 2766 West Shore Road.
The preliminary investigation suggests that a Toyota Camry attempted to make a turn when the Suzuki GSX 1300 motorcycle crashed into the passenger side.
Responders found the motorcycle rider, 21-year-old Xander Bellini of Warwick, suffering from upper body and facial injuries. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital and was listed in critical condition.
The car operator, 61-year-old Cynthia Morse of Warwick, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital and was listed in stable condition.
No charges are pending.
In addition to Xander’s injuries, 2024 has been a tough year for the Bellini family.
According to Xander’s mother, Amy, her husband of 28 years, and his father, died unexpectedly on April 1st in his sleep from a cerebral stroke and as a result, the family lost their home of 19 years.
Amy says that Bellini, who has no health insurance, started reconstructive surgeries Friday, the first of many as many of his facial bones were broken as well as a skull fracture and a gash about 4 inches across and 3/4 inch tall.
Amy states that Xander’s helmet ultimately saved his life but shattered upon one of the multiple impacts his head made upon landing. Unfortunately, his brother Noah was 2 cars behind him and witnessed Xander’s body as it was cartwheeling after impact. She also said that the metacarpals in his left hand were pretty pulverized, so they decided to start with that surgical procedure first to allow the swelling on his face to subside some before they start setting those bones.
Despite the circumstances, Amy feels thankful.
“We were blessed beyond comprehension with his survival. That coupled with his body mass helped protect his internal organs during the initial and subsequent impacts his poor body endured. He has swelling around his heart and fluid accumulation in his chest but all in all, he was fortunate. We all were. Our family wouldn’t survive another tragedy so close on the heels of losing my husband a few short months ago. After Bobby passed, Xander really stepped up to try and fill some of the holes left by his father’s abrupt passing at such a young age. He really is a remarkable young man. Xander makes a lasting impression on everyone he meets. As a matter of fact, his elementary school teacher reached out earlier today and still has his 5th grade class picture on her refrigerator!”
Amy has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with expenses.
Anyone with information on the crash can call Warwick Police at 401-468-4200.
Local News
A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.
Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.
Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.
At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.
The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said.
Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.
Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.
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CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.
The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.
Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)
“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”
The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.
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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.
Local News
A Seekonk man is accused of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island before causing a car crash in Swansea that killed two people last week, police said.
Demitri Sousa, 28, is charged with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, the Cranston Police Department said.
The shooting occurred Thursday night in Cranston, police said in a press release.
That night, Sousa allegedly arrived at the Cranston home of Javon Lawson, 35. Sousa began banging on the side door of the home, police said.
When Lawson approached the door, he was hit by gunfire from outside, police said.
First responders transported Lawson to the Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cranston police said.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, the motive is believed to be a dispute between the suspect and the victim over a mutual female acquaintance. Detectives are continuing this investigation to gain more insight, as well as to collect and analyze evidence,” Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of Cranston police, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.
Neighbors gave police video footage that “showed a male subject wearing dark clothing and a mask walking toward the residence moments before the shooting and fleeing immediately afterward,” Winquist said.
The suspect was also seen running to a white Infiniti sedan which then drove off, the Cranston police chief said.
Shortly after the shooting, a license plate reader captured the vehicle driving southbound on Route 10, and then later in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The sedan’s license plate was registered in Sousa’s name, Winquist said.
At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said.
Just moments later, Sousa allegedly “crashed into the side of another vehicle, a blue 2022 Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley and Fire Chief Eric Hajder said in a joint press release.
Both vehicles had “catastrophic damage,” and the struck car was engulfed in flames, the Swansea officials said.
The driver and passenger of the hit car — a man and a woman — were declared dead at the scene, they said.
“Swansea Police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. However, Swansea Police were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash,” the Swansea chiefs wrote. Swansea official have not announced charges related to the fatal crash.
Sousa had been driving the Infiniti and appeared to be suffering from serious injuries, Winquist said. Inside the car, police found a pistol and “additional .22 caliber ammunition was recovered” from Sousa at Rhode Island Hospital, Winquist said.
Police arrested Sousa and transported him to Rhode Island Hospital. Sousa is expected to survive, Winquist said. Sousa will be held in Cranston police custody until he is conscious and medically cleared, Winquist said.
“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Winquist said.
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