Atty: Driver was attacked before crash

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The suspect involved in a deadly crash from the weekend faced a judge in Providence Monday morning.

Desmond Bynum, 22, is charged with driving to endanger, death resulting.

Providence police believe Bynum was speeding when his SUV raced passed another car before it slammed into a multi-family home on Orms St. Sunday morning.

All three of the vehicle's occupants were ejected. Carlos Perez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Passenger Hagop Saribekian, 38, was listed in good condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

In court on Monday, Bynum's attorney said the two other men attacked his client in the car. He told the judge Saribekian had a strangle hold on Bynum from behind when he crashed.

"He sped up in order to try and scare them and have them relinquish their hold. It didn't and that is when the accident occurred. He wasn't attempting to hurt anybody. He was attempting to protect himself right there, to stop this assault," said Bynum's attorney.

Desmarais said a building inspector was also called to evaluate the structural damage of the building.

The judge set Bynum's bail at $15,000 with surety.