January 26, 2016
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) continues to assist the Warwick Police Department as it investigates an accident in which a bus veered across Post Road and struck a building Monday evening.
Three people, including the driver, were taken to the hospital following the accident which occurred at approximately 7:08 p.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016.
“The Warwick Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team continues to investigate this incident and RIPTA personnel will provide them with all necessary data and information,” said RIPTA CEO Raymond Studley. “When we look at the severe damage that the bus sustained, we are extremely grateful to the Warwick Police, the Warwick Fire Department and the first responders from other communities for their actions and the fact that they were able to extricate the passengers and our driver so they could get the medical attention they needed.”
Both Studley and Scott Avedisian, who is Mayor of the City of Warwick as well as Chairman of RIPTA’s Board of Directors, were at the scene of the accident in which the bus struck the front of a commercial building at the corner of Pettaconsett Avenue and Post Road.
According to RIPTA officials, the bus was traveling north on Post Road near Sand Pond Road, when it struck a telephone pole. The bus continued northward for about 1,000 feet, before it veered across the street and hit the building at 1207 Post Road which houses Rhode Island Paintball & Airsoft.
As reported by Warwick Police, the bus was operated by Richard Avedisian (no relation to Mayor Avedisian), 51, of North Kingstown. RIPTA officials said that driver Avedisian has been employed by RIPTA for about 22 years and has a good record with the transit authority.
All accidents involving RIPTA buses are reviewed by an internal Accident Review Board. CEO Studley and Mayor Avedisian said that RIPTA will issue updates as information becomes available.
For more information, please contact RIPTA Public Affairs Director Barbara Polichetti at 401-784-9500, ext. 203.