2 killed in Rt. 295 crash in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island State Police said it appears alcohol and speed may have played a factor in a deadly accident that killed two teens and seriously injured another on Route 295 in Smithfield early Wednesday morning.

The accident happened near exit 8 on the northbound side of the highway around 12:40 a.m. The victims, Marcello Ventrella of Bellingham and Aram J. Pothier of Blackstone, both 19, were pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

According to Lt. Arnold Buxton, the Dodge Stratus was carrying four teens total when it veered out of the high-speed lane and into the median. There the vehicle struck a rock ledge and trees.

Troopers said it appeared all of the people in the car were drinking, however Buxton said no containers of alcohol were found in the car. All of them were 19-years-old and Buxton said troopers do not believe any of them were wearing seat belts.

He said Ventrella and Pothier were the back seat passengers. Troopers said the driver, Robert Baez, also of Bellingham, was seriously injured. He is currently at Rhode Island Hospital.

The fourth passenger in the car was not seriously hurt and was able to call his mother on his cell phone, Buxton said. The man's mother then called 911 for help.

Troopers are now investigating where the four men, who are under the legal drinking age, got alcohol.

Baez's mother said according to her son, the four teens were drinking at a bar in Providence earlier in the night.