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April 17, 2006

Lincoln man held after weekend fatal on Rt. 95

PROVIDENCE -- A 19-year-old Lincoln man was ordered held on $500 cash bail during his arraignment today on a charge that he left the scene of a fatal accident on Route 95 in Pawtucket Saturday.

Eliezer Benitez, of 127 Chestnut St., Lincoln, did not enter a plea in District Court since the charge is a felony and Superior Court has jurisdiction.

Robert W. Strang, 64, of North Attleboro, died in the crash shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday.

The police initially characterized the accident as an incident of road rage, but Rhode Island State Police Cpl. Kathleen Flynn said in court she did not believe road rage was a factor.

After the collision, Strang weaved across several lanes, striking a barrier in the right breakdown lane and then hitting a barrier in the high-speed lane, witnesses told the police.

Witnesses told the police that the driver of the other car continued south before pulling over, retrieving his bumper and driving away. Witnesses were able to get a description and a partial license plate.

Benitez turned himself in at the Pawtucket Police Department after the police contacted his mother.

-- Providence Journal staff writer John Castellucci.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 12:46 PM | Permalink

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