By ALEX MALM

Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority CEO Scott Avedisian was involved in a single car crash Sunday evening near Warwick Neck and Rocky Point Avenues Police Chief Bradford Connor confirmed on Monday.

Avedisian previously served as the Mayor of Warwick before stepping down in 2018 to take the post at RIPTA.

According to Connor, Avedisian was alert and conscious at the scene and was assisted out of the overturned vehicle by the Warwick Police and Fire Rescue. He was not seriously injured.

The accident reports states that when officers arrived on scene they saw Avedisian in the overturned Jeep and were able to extract him from the vehicle after cutting his seatbelt. After being put on a stretcher Avedisian was treated by Warwick EMS and appeared that he had an injury to his right arm, possibly a broken bone.

When asked what happened, “Avedisian stated that he was operating north on Warwick Neck Avenue when he lost control of the motor vehicle causing the right front bumper/ wheel well area to come in contact with utility pole 52,” the report reads.

According to the report no testing was performed for drugs or alcohol.

Asked if there was any indication of how fast Avedisian was driving Major Andrew Sullivan said, “there is not an indication of how fast.”
“Only a full accident reconstruction investigation would provide reliable data to the topic of speed,” said Sullivan. “Accident reconstruction is only done for fatal accidents or severe life-threatening injury accidents.”

Avedisian was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. According to the report two witnesses came forward and their written statements were taken and entered into records.

“The weather at the time of the crash was clear however the roadway was slick from rainfall earlier in the evening,” the report reads.

Asked for comment on Tuesday Cristy Raposo Perry, a spokesperson for RIPTA said “RIPTA is aware that our CEO was involved in a single car accident during non-work hours.”

“We are thinking of him and send best wishes for his health,” said Raposo Perry. “At this time, we have no further comment on this personal matter.”