Car slams into wall at Breakers, 4 hurt

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) - Four Salve Regina University students were seriously hurt Thursday morning when the car slammed into a wall at the Breakers Mansion in Newport.

Police responded to a 911 call about the accident on Ochre Ave. around 1:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found one person trapped inside a red Hyundai SUV. Another three people were on the ground with injuries.

Investigators said Michael Cunning, 19, of Massapequa, NY, was driving the vehicle with three passengers: Christopher Connors, 19, of Garden City, NJ; Christopher Wands, 19, of Port Washington, NY; and Ian Cadzin, 19, of East Rockaway, NY.    

Rescue crews, along with help from Middletown and Navy Fire Departments, used the Jaws of Life to free one of the men and were able to stabilize all victims before taking them to Newport Hospital.

Police said Canning was later flown by helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital. Wands was also taken to Rhode Island Hospital, but by ambulance.

Newport Police Department's Criminal Investigative Division is looking into the cause of the crash.

According to Newport Police Lt. William Fitzgerald, it appears the vehicle was going fast. However, he said it's unclear whether alcohol involved.