WARWICK, RI : Avedisian pleads no contest in hit-and-run case on Wednesday, 8th May 2024

Former R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) CEO Scott Avedisian pleaded no contest Wednesday to leaving the scene of an accident with damage.

The former chief executive had initially pleaded not guilty to one count of the misdemeanor charge. If he pays a $98 fine and doesn’t violate the law again over the next six months, a judge said Avedisian can get the charge expunged from his criminal record.

Avedisian, who also formerly served for nearly two decades as Warwick mayor, declined to make a statement during the hearing at Kent County Court.

His attorney, John Harwood, told 12 News that Avedisian is ready to put the case behind him and explained why the former mayor hasn’t commented during the case.

“When you’re in public service for a lot of years, sometimes it’s good to take your foot off the gas pedal, catch your breath, make sure you’re healthy, and make sure you’re getting your life going in the right direction,” Harwood said. “And I’m sure he has been doing that and he’s going to continue to do that.”

Police said he crashed into another car in a McDonald’s drive-thru on March 27, before he signaled for the other driver and a third car to pull over. He then took off without talking to the other drivers, according to police.


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