Overview
- State police say a southbound vehicle lost control, crossed the center median into northbound lanes, and collided with a pickup truck, producing a smoldering, fiery wreck.
- Troopers found one person dead at the scene and the pickup driver was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where they later died; authorities have not released the victims’ identities.
- The crash happened near the Mendon Road overpass between the Mendon Road and Diamond Hill Road exits and closed all northbound I‑295 lanes for several hours before they reopened by about 6:45 p.m.
- Rhode Island State Police describe the median crossover in preliminary findings but say the investigation is active and no definitive cause has yet been released.
- The collision comes after a recent string of deadly regional highway crashes that has pushed officials to speed safety projects such as wrong‑way detectors and improved signage.