Charlestown man arrested in a crash that killed East Greenwich athlete, 17, in Warwick
WARWICK — State police have arrested a suspect in a crash that killed an East Greenwich teenager early Saturday morning on Route 95 in Warwick.
Aramis Segura, 30, of Charlestown, was located at his house and taken to state police headquarters, where he was arraigned on charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, driving to endanger resulting in death, obstruction of justice, and operating on a suspended license.
More: 17-year-old driver dies when car struck by speeding sedan shortly after New Year
Bail was set at $10,000 with surety, but he is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions, as a probation violator on a previous charge in Superior Court of breaking and entering.
On Sunday in a letter to the school community, East Greenwich Supt. Alexis Meyer identified the victim as Olivia Passaretti, a junior at East Greenwich High School.
"We are shocked and devastated by the news of her untimely passing," Meyer wrote. "Our hearts are heavy with this loss to our East Greenwich community."
Grief counseling was available at the high school on Sunday and will continue to be available in the days to come, she wrote.
Students found their way to the cafeteria on Sunday, and they were able to talk individually or in groups with a variety of professionals who were there for them.
“Our condolences go out to the loved ones of the victim for their loss,” said Col. James M. Manni, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and director of the Department of Public Safety. “The investigating troopers worked very hard to quickly apprehend the suspect and we are working with the Attorney General’s office to ensure that justice is served.”
Olivia was the youngest of three whose father died in 2015. The oldest, Jacqueline, wrote a tribute to her on Facebook:
"You were the brightest most amazing soul this world had ever met. Over this past year, I watched you become the healthiest happiest version of yourself. It made me happy seeing how happy you were. You had just gotten your first job at Dicks, you had finally found and experienced true love, and you were FINALLY happy. Your smile lit up every room you walked into and I loved hearing you walk into my house to just play video games or watch a movie. Im so heartbroken buddy, you were such an old soul. I used to tell you all the time how even though I was your big sister, I looked up to you. I admired your way with words and the way you truly cared about everyone you encountered. This should not be happening. My baby sister. You were only 17. I couldn’t wait to watch you play another softball season. I couldn’t wait to help coach you again. I’ll miss our late night drives to Walmart and everything in between. My little buddy, I will always love you and there will not be a day that goes by that I don’t miss you. This should NOT have happened to you. The night before New Year’s Eve, I drove to moms after work to see you and we had such a nice heart to heart. I will cherish that. I just wish it was longer. My last words to you as you left my house last night were 'I love you, text me when you get home…' that text never came. I wish it was me kiddo. You deserved all the beauty this life had to offer you. Thank you for being such a light to this world."
On Jan. 1, at about 1 a.m., state police responded to a two-car crash on Route 95 south in Warwick near Route 117. An investigation found that a Mercedes was traveling at high speed when it drifted from the leftmost lane into the second lane. clipping the rear of a Nissan in the second lane and sending it into a spin. The spin ended at the bottom of an embankment, where the Nissan struck a tree and flipped.
The driver of the Nissan, later identified by East Greenwich schools as Passaretti, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the operator of the Mercedes, which came to a stop on the right shoulder, ran away.
Linda Borg covers education for The Journal.
With reports from Donita Naylor, staff writer.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Charlestown, RI, man arrested in fatal New Year's crassh in Warwick
