Hartford, CT : Woonsocket man arrested for fatal road rage crash on April, Wednesday 5th 2017

Rhode Island State Police have arrested a Woonsocket man in connection with a fatal car crash on I-295 north in Johnston on March 30. Police are attributing that crash to an alleged act of road rage.

On April 5, 2017, Mitchell Savard, 41, of 398 Park Ave., Apt. 1, was arrested at his home on a warrant charging him with driving to endanger, resulting in death, driving to endanger, resulting in personal injury, and driving to endanger, resulting in physical injury, states a news release.

The arrest was the result of an investigation into a three-car motor vehicle crash at around 9:50 a.m. on Route 295 north, just north of the Route 6 on-ramp.

The investigation showed that just prior to the collision, Savard was traveling north in the high-speed lane of 295 and made a lane change in front of a tow truck that was traveling in the center lane. As a result of being cut off, the operator of the tow truck sounded his air horn at Savard. Savard then intentionally repeatedly tapped his brakes and then abruptly stopped his vehicle in the center lane in front of the tow truck. That action caused the tow truck to also come to an abrupt stop.

The driver of a box truck, also traveling in the center lane behind the tow truck, was unable to avoid the two stopped vehicles and struck the rear of the tow truck, which then struck the rear of Savard’s vehicle.

As a result of the crash, the operator of the box truck, identified as Erik Salazar, age 23, of New York, sustained fatal injuries and was later pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital.

The front seat passenger of the box truck, identified as Andy Salgado, age 23, also of Brooklyn, sustained serious bodily injuries and remains in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. The operator of the tow truck, identified as Trevor Armstrong, age 28, of Bristol, Conn., sustained minor physical injuries. Savard reported no injuries.

Savard was scheduled to appear at Third District Court Wednesday morning for an arraignment hearing.

“Aggressive driving and road rage pose a deadly risk to every motorist in Rhode Island,” said Col. Ann Assumpico, superintendent of State Police and director of the Department of Public Safety. “We take this threat very seriously, and we will remain vigilant in the prosecution of any driver who puts others at risk.”

Source :
Woonsocket man arrested for fatal road rage crash