May 12, 2015
WARWICK, R.I.
A fiery
rollover in the median of Route 95 near the Route 4 split Monday night claimed
the life of a 3-year-old child despite the efforts of Good Samaritans who saved
two adults and a 5-year-old from the vehicle before rescuers arrived.
State Police Lt. Mark Farnum said early Tuesday that the
crash occurred around 9 p.m. Monday in the wooded median about a mile north of
the Route 4 split.
A news release from the Rhode Island State Police on Tuesday
afternoon said the southbound vehicle had veered left across all lanes of
travel and into the median, where it struck a tree. It flipped and burst into
flames, and the Wickford Barracks received multiple 911 calls, the news release
said.
Before troopers and the Warwick Fire Department arrived,
Good Samaritans were able to pull out the driver, Robert Souza, 34, Lindsey Clark,
25, and Savannah Clark, 5, all of the same North Kingstown address.
A trooper and a Good Samaritan entered the burning vehicle
several times to reach Adonis Clark, 3, who was secured in a child restraint in
the back seat. Intense heat, smoke and flames thwarted them.
The 3-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, the news
release said.
Both adults were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious
injuries and are in critical condition, police said. Savannah Clark was taken
to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The trooper was treated at Kent Hospital for cuts on his
face and arm and minor burns on his arm.
The state police are asking anyone who witnessed the
accident to call the Wickford Barracks at (401) 444-1064.