Couple indicted on felony counts in crash death of 17-year-old Olivia Passaretti
A statewide grand jury agreed on Wednesday to charge the driver in the fatal crash that killed 17-year-old Olivia Passaretti with multiple felony counts.
Aramis Segura, 30, faces charges of driving to endanger, death resulting; and leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting.
The statewide grand jury also returned an indictment for Alicia Peckham, 25, who is accused of aiding Segura as he fled the crash and hiding him at the home they shared in Charlestown.
Peckham faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, as an aider and abettor; harboring a criminal; misprision of a felony; and obstructing an officer in execution of their duty.
The crash that killed Passaretti, an East Greenwich athlete, took place in the early hours of New Year's Day. Her family called for Segura to be charged with second-degree murder, saying that posts on his Facebook page made clear that he was planning to drink and drive.
Segura was found hiding under a bed at his girlfriend's home and arrested by Rhode Island State Police bthe day after the crash.
“As alleged here, defendant Segura’s criminal driving behavior resulted in the death of a young person so much loved by her family and the community. Both defendants compounded that alleged criminal misconduct by leaving the scene of the incident in an attempt to shield defendant Segura from criminal responsibility for his actions,” Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha said in a statement. “We remain committed to ensuring that both defendants face the greatest possible accountability for their alleged criminal conduct, and to achieving justice for Olivia and her family.”
Segura has been in and out of prison since he turned 18 and has previously been charged with offenses such as shoplifting, breaking and entering, vandalism and larceny.
According to the news release, the attorney general plans to file a habitual offender notice at Segura’s arraignment, which means that if convicted he will receive additional time on his sentence.
Segura's attorney, Angela Lawless, could not be immediately be reached for comment. It was not immediately clear if Peckham had an attorney. Both are scheduled to be arraigned July 15.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Aramis Segura, Alicia Peckham indicted in death of Olivia Passaretti
