Warwick man, 45, dies after crashing car into river off I-95

Posted: Apr 27, 2021 / 06:46 AM EDT

Updated: Apr 27, 2021 / 06:09 PM EDT

Note: This story was updated after police issued a correction for the victim’s name.

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — A Warwick man died after a crash Tuesday morning ended with his car submerged in the Pawtuxet River.

The man has since been identified as Myto Edouard, 45.

Rhode Island State Police said Edouard was driving on I-95 South around 5:30 a.m. when his vehicle veered across the breakdown lane and left the highway in the area of Exit 13.

#BREAKING First responders at the scene of a crash off I-95 South, just before exit 13. A vehicle went off the road and ended up in the water. Traffic is backed up on the highway. Working to gather more details.

Here’s what we know so far: https://t.co/dWSGLj9vjF pic.twitter.com/QOQ20jbrux
— Kayla Fish (@KaylaFishTV) April 27, 2021

Lt. David Bassignani later told 12 News that two eyewitnesses said they saw the vehicle slowly start to veer off the road, then accelerate, indicating Edouard may have had a medical issue prior to the crash.

The car then entered the wood line before crashing into the river, according to police. When officers arrived on scene, Bassignani said they couldn’t see the vehicle but followed the tire tracks and found it “deep off the road.”

Divers from the Warwick Fire Department rescued Edouard and rushed him to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, police said.

The crash caused travel delays during the morning commute. Edouard’s vehicle has since been removed from the river.