Police identify teens killed in crash
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Fatal Crash
A crash on I-295 kills two people.
SMITHFIELD, R.I.—Two Massachusetts teens were killed in a car crash early Wednesday morning that police believe was alcohol-related.
Rhode Island State Police Lt. Joseph DelPrete said the crash occurred when a car carrying four teens veered off Interstate 295 in Smithfield and into the median, striking trees.
State Police identified the victims as Marcello Ventrella, 19, of Bellingham, Mass. and Aram Pothier, 19, of Blackstone, Mass. Both teenagers were backseat passengers. They are recent graduates of Bellingham High School.
The driver, Robert Baez, is at Rhode Island Hospital and in serious condition. The other front seat passenger, Christopher Cuomo, was treated and released. Baez and Cuomo are from Bellingham.
Bellingham High School Principal Edward Fleury called the loss of the two recent graduates a shock to the school community, and said the school is helping students who knew the two young men.
“We’re allowing the students time and space, and counselors are available if they feel they need someone to talk to. We don’t force anyone into class at a time like that,“ he said.
Police said they believe speed and alcohol were both factors in the crash.
No charges have been filed in the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Reader Reactions
What a shame to lose more young kids who want to be grown up. No need to bash this weatherman I try to ignore stupid statements. Nothing can stop a drunk driver behind the wheel, except the driver themselves. My heart goes out to the familes and freinds of these young kids who lost out on their life due to poor judgement. Thank god no one else was hurt.
Cumberland25, who said I was talking to you? I wasn’t talking to anyone specific. Just trying to point out that instead of everyone trying to blame the lack of troopers, or economic crisis or starting an argument just to have an argument, think about the fact that 3 more of our youth, (19 may be considered an adult, but they are still young/youth) have died because of drinking and driving, 1 more is in critical condition and 4 families are in agony tonight because of what happened.
This is every parent’s nightmare
First of all “todteach” I was responding to “weatherman444”...He said that no police are on that road…Kids think that nothing can happened to them…I have a son that is 22 know and when he was 18 &19;he though the same way…And if they were drinking and driving then throw the book at them…
Eye sight? What does that have to do with it? Lack of Police presence? What does that have to do with it? I live right off of this exit, I am a mom of young teens and a 19 year old. But I think the point is being missed! If it is proven that speed and alcohol were the contributing factor then police being on 295 may not have made a difference! These kids could have gotten on the highway 1 exit, or 20 exits back. The point is they were drinking and driving. (if they were)
I live in Cumberland and I’m on 295 all the time and the State Police is always out there…Maybe some of you should have glasses…
The only ones responsible for speeding on any of our roads are those behind the wheel! Teens tend to believe that they are invincible and nothing will happen to them but they are sadly mistaken. Our police forces have been hit by our current economic crisis and cannot be everywhere at once. I also did NOT hear Weatherman mention the fact that these four 19 year olds had alcohol in their system which makes that an illegal activity as well. I suppose the state police are responsible for that too?!
Weatherman - you shouldn’t be driving with eyesite that poor. As a daily 295 commuter I see Troopers out there daily, both sides of the road, and on Sunday mornings. This week I have seen four, and I’m on 295 for 10 minute stretches in the morning and night.
Our state troopers do a fine job on 295.
No amount of taxpayer-supported police action is going to protect people from themselves or from accidents. Especially not a car of 19 year old men out at 12:30 AM.
Don’t blame the police for what you don’t like. Although from your frequent rants it sounds you like to blame others.
Rhode Island’s Autobahn claims two more victims. When are the State and local police going to wise up and patrol this highway? I have driven it for over 20 years and NO one drives 65. Instead everyone does 80-90+. Why? Because State and local police refuse to go there. With more 18 wheelers on it due to the ban on route 95, the highway is even more dangerous. Go to any highway web site and people tell everyone to speed all you want on 295 because the police are NEVER, EVER there.
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