A Hope man is facing charges of driving under the influence, death resulting, after he allegedly struck and killed a man walking along Interstate 95 early Sunday morning.
State Police officials said Conner Forsythe, 20, of 607 Hope Furnace Road, Hope, hit the unidentified victim as he was driving south on Interstate 95 near Pawtucket.
Police said they got a 911 phone call around 4:40 a.m. reporting a man dressed in dark clothing was walking in the center lane. Seconds later, a second call came in reporting a man was lying in the first lane of travel just north of the Smithfield Ave. exit. A third 911 caller reported he just hit what he thought was debris in the travel lane.
Police and rescue workers responded and determined that the victim was walking in the center lane of the highway when Forsythe hit him, sending the victim into the first lane of travel before he was hit again by a second car.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by members of the Pawtucket Fire Department.
Police said Forsythe appeared drunk at the scene and refused a breathalyzer test. A court warrant for blood tests was signed by Judge William C. Clifton and troopers transported Forsythe to Rhode Island Hospital to take a blood sample, which will be tested by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Forsythe was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace at the State Police's Lincoln Barracks and was charged with driving under the influence, death resulting, and refusing a breath test. Bail was sat at $50,000 with surety and Forsythe was unable to post bail. He is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions until a bail review hearing today in Sixth Division District Court.
The name of the victim is being withheld until family members are notified.
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