Judge sets bail for driver in fatal crash involving state medical transport service
WARWICK — Dauda Elegushi, the driver in a fatal crash involving the state's medical-transport service, appeared in court Wednesday wearing a leg brace, a sling on one arm and a crutch under the other.
The 25-year-old driver for Assured Transportation, a subcontractor of Medical Transportation Management, which was hired under former Gov. Gina Raimondo, was in the country illegally from Nigeria, Assistant Attorney General John Corrigan said. The Coventry police confiscated his passport after the Nov. 27 crash at Main Street and Abbotts Crossing Road. A 77-year-old passenger died from injuries suffered in the crash.
The crash: Patient dies after crash involving state's medical transport service
Asked whether he had a message for the family of the woman who was killed, Elegushi's lawyer, Robert “Rory” Munns, expressed "regret that someone was injured in this accident."
Elegushi, who faces several charges, including driving under the influence, having alcohol in the vehicle, driving without a license, driving to endanger and obstructing police, will not be allowed to travel without permission from the court and notice to the attorney general's office. Elegushi will not be allowed to drive either.
The charges: Driver for state medical transport service charged with DUI in fatal crash
Munns noted that members of his client's family and church congregation were in attendance at the hearing, and that Elegushi appeared knowing his "face would be all over the media."
Judge Anthony Capraro said that since Elegushi is not from the United States, he could be a flight risk.
The state requested bail be set at $100,000 bail with surety. Elegushi's next court date is scheduled for Feb. 23. Capraro set bail at $20,000 with surety.
Elegushi has no criminal history in the United States, though he previously received a citation from state police for speeding. He did not have a license at the time.
According to MTM, Elegushi was "not qualified, credentialed or an authorized driver under Assured Transportation’s contract with MTM." The company said it has since ended its contract with Assured Transportation.
The state, which said it did not learn of the crash until three days after it occurred, is weighing its contract options with MTM, including termination.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Medical transport driver in court after fatal Rhode Island wreck
