Body Found in River in Cranston Identified as Providence Man Who Had Fled Accident on 95

Body Found in River in Cranston Identified as Providence Man Who Had Fled Accident on 95

Cranston police have identified the body of a man found in the Pawtuxet River earlier this week. 

On Thursday, Cranston police released the following:

"On May 14, 2024 at approximately 4:53 PM, the Cranston Police Department received an emergency call from a kayaker in the Pawtuxet River. The kayaker stated he believed there was a body in the water near the abandoned Mill Street railroad bridge that spans across the Pawtuxet River. 

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Cranston patrol officers located a partially clothed male face down resting over a large tree in the water near the shoreline in about three feet of water. The body was recovered with the assistance of the Cranston Police, Cranston Fire and the Rhode Island Medical Examiner who utilized two rescue boats to make the difficult retrieval in heavy water current.  

A thorough crime scene investigation was carried out, after which the medical examiner took custody of the body. An autopsy was conducted on May 15, 2024 by the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office and the initial manner and cause of death was classified as undetermined, noting no signs of trauma, or any injuries that  would suggest suspicion or foul play at this time. 

Detectives were able to positively identify the deceased as Dante Williams, age 28, from the City of Providence. Williams had been reported missing to the Providence Police Department since April 15th, 2024.  

It was later learned through this investigation that Williams was the operator of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident on Route 95 north, in the city of Warwick, near Jefferson Boulevard, on April 14, 2024. Williams and another female [are] alleged to have borrowed the car involved in the accident, which rear ended another vehicle totally disabling both cars on the highway. There was little cooperation at the accident scene as it was being investigated. Williams allegedly fled towards the area of the Pawtuxet River immediately after the collision and before emergency personnel arrived. Williams did not have a license at the time of the accident. 

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Williams during this profoundly difficult time. We extend our heartfelt sympathies for their loss. We are immensely grateful for the diligent assistance provided by the Rhode Island Medical Examiner's Office throughout this challenging investigation. Their expertise has been crucial in this case," said Cranston Police in the statement. 

According to police, further information will be provided as it becomes available."