MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — A 32-year-old Bronx man has been charged in connection with an early-morning crash in Middletown that killed a child under the age of 3 and seriously injured another passenger.
Middletown police identified the driver as Jerry Bonilla of the Bronx, New York. He faces four charges:
Driving under the influence resulting in death
Driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury
Driving to endanger resulting in death
Driving to endanger resulting in personal injury
Bonilla was arraigned at approximately 1:30 p.m. Bail was set at $500,000 with surety, and he was remanded to the Adult Correctional Institutions.
The crash occurred at about 1:20 a.m. near 141 West Main Road. Police said the southbound vehicle left the roadway and struck a stone wall and utility pole in front of Linden Park before becoming engulfed in flames.
Officers rescued Bonilla and a front-seat passenger from the burning vehicle. The passenger suffered serious injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. The child, who was seated in the rear, could not be extricated and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Rhode Island State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is assisting Middletown police with the investigation.
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