Crash victim was community activist
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Remembering Cartagena
Members of the community are remembering a peace activist who lost his life in a crash this weekend.
David Cartagena was described as a man who truly made a difference.
Published: May 31, 2009
Updated: June 1, 2009
PROVIDENCE—A man who preached non-violence and worked to keep kids safe died in a violent multi-car crash on Interstate 95.
State police said 38-year-old David Cartagena, of North Providence, was northbound in his SUV at about 2 a.m. Sunday when he struck a vehicle stopped in the breakdown lane and protruding into the travel lane.
Related link: David Cartagena Memorial Fund
A third vehicle struck Cartagena’s SUV, and when he got out he was hit by a fourth vehicle.
The drivers of the third and fourth vehicles, Steven Croteau, 22, of North Smithfield and Jeffery Lopes, 21, of Cumberland face drunken driving charges.
Cartagena was a former member of the Almighty Latin King Nation gang with a long criminal record who became a senior street worker for the Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence.
He had worked at the Institute since 2005.
Teny Gross, the Institute’s Executive Director, said the youth in the Manton Heights and Hartford Park area will especially feel the loss of Cartagena.
He called Cartagena a very special person.
Cartagena is survived by his parents and a young daughter.
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Reader Reactions
Davia was a good friend to the Curtis family we will miss him. I hope Manton Heights and Hartford Park take a long look at what David has been working for in the last years of his life. That would be peace. Thank you David for being the person you were. Many will miss you very much.
R.I.P. Dianna Curtis
REST IN PEACE DAVID CARTAGENA. You overcame so much to help others. You were an admired and respected member of our community and your memory and accomplishments will continue through your loved ones and colleagues. My condolences to all who knew and cared about him.
David was very good friend to the Taylor family.he will be sadly missed. He touched alot of peoples lives.He was tryin real hard to get Manton and Hartford to get along.Now maybe they should think about what David was tryin to do and stop the trouble between Manton and Hartford for David end the violence now.
Such a shame. This man worked hard to turn his life around and help others. My condolences to his family & friends. I hope some of the people he worked with tries to carry on his good work.
such a tragic loss. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
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