Fmr. RI school official's trial begins

WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) - Two witnesses testified Monday in the trial of a former school committee member, accused of violating Rhode Island's social host law.

Terri Serra, 49, is charged in connection with a serious car accident that injured four students in October of 2011.

It happened on the night of their homecoming. The students crashed into a tree in Charlestown shortly after leaving a party at Serra's home in Richmond.

A police officer who interviewed Serra the night of the crash took the stand, along with a teen that attended the party.

The officer testified that Serra asked the teens to leave after discovering alcohol in the backyard saying "this party is over."

Serra was driving one of the teens home when they came upon the crash. The teen testified that he saw two of his friends; one with an injured arm and the other unconscious.

"She kept saying 'Oh my God. They could be dead,'" he said while on the stand.

In addition, the police in Charlestown charged Serra with failing to help the teenagers after a neighbor reported Serra drove by the crash scene and yelled at the boys, but then drove away without calling 911 .

• Cops: Woman didn't call 911 after crash

Serra resigned from the Chariho School Committee as a result of the charge related to the crash.

Serra is facing a failure to render aid charge and violating the social host law. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The trial will continue on August 6 due to a scheduling conflict.