RIPTA CEO Avedisian to Resign Following Hit-and-Run Arrest
GoLocalProv News Team
RIPTA CEO Avedisian to Resign Following Hit-and-Run Arrest
GoLocal has confirmed.
Avedisian was reportedly involved in a traffic incident while driving his RIPTA-assigned vehicle at a McDonald's on Post Road at the end of March.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe incident involved a “fender-bender” and Avedisian allegedly leaving the incident; it was his second driving incident in two years.
Avedisian, who is being represented by former Speaker of the House John Harwood, pled not guilty to the charge.
Court documents state that Warwick Police are citing the former Mayor for failure to "Give Info, Render Aid, [and] Report Accident To Police.”
Avedisian was the long-time Mayor of Warwick.
The Board of RIPTA has a special meeting scheduled for Thursday at 1:30 PM.
Second Incident in Two Years
On March 7, 2022, GoLocal reported that Avedisian was the driver in a one-car rollover crash that occurred in Warwick Neck.
Warwick Police Chief Brad Connor confirmed to GoLocal in 2022 that Avedisian had been at the wheel — and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“Scott was coming from a private residence on Sunday night, when it was dark and wet, and he admitted that he probably was going too fast,” Connor told GoLocal. “He swerved abruptly and lost control; I don’t think he hit the [utility] pole head on.”
The crash and damage to the pole caused a temporary power outage in the surrounding area.
According to Connor, the Warwick Fire Department was able to extract Avedesian from the vehicle, and he was taken by rescue to Rhode Island Hospital.
Connor said rescue did not conduct a breathalyzer at the scene.