Times-GazetteWarren eastbayri.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013 VOL. 147, NO. 28 $1.00 Bicyclist seeks ID of van that hit him Warren doctor struck on Metacom two days before his wedding BY TED HAYES [email protected] The family of a Warren doctor struck by a minivan Thursday afternoon, July 4 — two days before his wedding — is reaching out in hopes that someone can identify the van that hit him as he crossed Metacom Avenue. Dr. Christopher Luttmann, who lives on Bay Road, was riding his bike back from the Fourth of July parade at about 3:30 p.m. when he was struck while crossing Metacom near the Valero gas sta- tion, at the top of Seymour Street. His wife Molly Luttmann Berar- di — they were married Saturday, July 6 — said her then-fiance SlowSlow rideride looked both ways before cross- ing, but was surprised to see a Contractors hired by DOT expected to dark minivan headed right for continue work on Metacom through late fall him as he made his way across the southbound lane. BY TED HAYES along the route. They'll also "This guy came up, doing 55 or [email protected] improve drainage in some areas, 60 miles per hour," she said. Metacom Avenue commuters the DOT's Rosamaria Amoros "Luckily he has really good reflex- might have to get used to more said. es and turned just in time." congestion — a state project to Though they're working daily The van didn't hit him head on, install new sidewalks along the from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and between but sideswiped Dr. Luttmann, busy road is set to continue until 8 p.m. and 6 p.m., work is expect- throwing him to the ground and late fall. ed to continue "until further causing abrasions and bruising Workers from the Cardi Corpo- notice," according to a DOT brief- on his side, elbow, hip and leg. ration have several more months' ing on the work. After the accident, Dr. worth of work before they finish a Commuters who are already Luttmann said the driver $1.6 million state DOT contract to used to slow rush hour traffic stopped and rudely berated him make improvements to sidewalks along Metacom have found the for being in the road. Stunned, and curbs along the state road. construction slowed it consider- he told the driver he needed a Workers who started just before ably, especially as traffic increased minute to collect himself. the Fourth of July holiday — the leading up to the Fourth of July "He said, 'Do you want me to overall project, actually, started holiday. call 911?' If not I'm leaving,'" the last October — will replace curbs Southbound traffic into Bristol man told the doctor. and sidewalks on both sides of the often backs up in the afternoon as PHOTOS BY RICHARD W. DIONNE JR. When he again replied that he road, make improvements to far north as the Dunkin Donuts TOP: Workers from the Cardi Corporation lay new concrete sidewalks needed a minute, the man got in some of Metacom's traffic signals and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but on the east side of Metacom Avenue Tuesday morning. ABOVE: Cardi the van and left without calling between Franklin Street and Har- drivers have reported traffic jams contractors discuss the next step in re-paving; work along Metacom for rescue, Ms. Luttmann Berardi ris Avenue, and install new drive- stretching as far north as the Job is expected to continue through fall as part of the state's $1.6 million ways into and out of businesses Lot plaza. project. See ACCIDENT Page 5 Close to disaster A woman came close to disaster on the Warren River Bridge Sunday evening. PAGE 2 Page 2 Warren Times-Gazette July 10, 2013 Car flips on Warren River Bridge Crews A Barrington woman was lucky to escape injury when she lost control of her car Sun- rescue day night on the Warren River Bridge and came just feet from plummeting clear off it. Police woman said Cindy Motte, 46, of Bar- rington was driving her Hyundai Elantra north at about on drifting 10 p.m. when she lost control of her car on the curve leading to the bridge.Witnesses told police that she took the turn sailboat too wide and struck a guard rail, which caused the car to flip. It came to rest atop the BY TED HAYES [email protected] bridge barrier, taking out at least one light pole along the A Warren woman who was way. Police and fire crews were reported adrift alongside a cap- dispatched at 10:05 p.m., and sized sailboat had luck on her rescuers transported her to side when she went into the Rhode Island Hospital as a pre- water around 6 p.m. Wednesday, caution, Warren Police Lt. July 3. Roland Brule said."We haven't Warren fire crews had just had an accident like that in a received permission earlier that long time," said Warren Fire Chief Al Galinelli, who was also day to dock their 18-foot Marine called to the scene. Lt. Brule 1 Boston Whaler rescue boat at a said the accident remains private dock on Shore Drive, and under investigation, and no got the call at 6:01 p.m. The JOSEPH DEPASQUALE charges have been filed. woman, who was with another woman in the boat, had gotten off the medium-sized sailboat when it ran aground just off Stonegate Road. She was out of WARREN TIVERTON the boat when winds caught the 137 Child Street, Warren, RI 492 Main Rd, Tiverton, RI sails, forcing it free and setting it TOM’S MARKET 401-289-2852 401-816-0862 adrift. Though she was able to www.tomsmarket.com grab the boat's lines as it drifted Fresh. Local. Exceptional. Open 8-8 Monday-Saturday; 8-7 Sunday away, she was not able to climb back in the vessel. Her friend CUSTOM CUT FRESH MEATS DELI SEAFOOD was aboard, safe and sound. USDA Semi-Boneless Warren Fire Chief Al Galinelli USDA Choice $ 99 Fresh Sliced German Shoulder Rib-eye Steaks . 8 lb. $ 99 said that because Marine 1 was Kretschmar Bologna . lb. For the Grill!! London Broil Tom’s Famous Tuscan 1 $ 99 Mahi already in the water, "we were Steak Marinated Chicken Breast . 3 lb. Honey Kretschmar Mahi able to get down there very $ 99 Oscar Mayer Ham Swiss Cheese . .$ 99 lb. lb. $ 99 5 $ 99 2 All Beef Franks . pkg. quickly" as the boat drifted east 3 $ 99 7 lb. Oscar Mayer 4 lb. Tom’s Own toward Ocean Grove, he said. $ 99 Thanksgiving Style Lean Fresh Ready to Eat Bacon . 3 pkg. $ 99 Warren also called in crews from lb. Sweet & Succulent Turkey . 7 $ 99 Ground Jenny-0 Bay Scallops . 6 lb. Swansea and Bristol to assist. $ 99 Chuck Turkey Burgers . 7 3 lb box. Citterio Hot or Sweet "We got there, got her out of $ 99 Capicola, For Fish & Chips!! lb. Sadlers $ 99 $ 99 2 $ 99 the water, and she said she was Smoked Meats . 4 pkg. Mortadela . 4 lb. Fillet of Sole . 6 lb. fine," the chief said. Marine 1 GROCERY / DAIRY / FROZEN TOM’S KITCHEN FRESH PRODUCE crews escorted the women into Tom’s Famous Ocean Grove Marina in Swansea, Prego Pasta $ 99 Mix & match! Washington State Roasted Plantain Seafood Paella . 5 lb. Peaches, where they left them for the Sauce & Black Bean Plums & Bing Dasani 24oz. Cherries Burritos Tom’s Own Cilantro Lime Nectarines evening. Water $ $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 Grilled Chicken . 6 lb. $ 49 lb. They brought Marine 1 back to 24 Pack 3/ 5 ea. lb. 3 3 1 the private dock on Shore Drive, $ 99 Delicious Sunshine where they have permission to 3 Cheez-Its Delicious! Spanish Style Crab $ 99 Fresh Express 6-7 oz. lb. $ 99 Pulled Pork . 7 Rangoons . 8 dz. Iceberg Garden 12 oz. bag leave it through the season. Res- $ $ 49 idents down on Shore Drive All Varieties 46 oz. 3/ 5 BAKERY Extra Fancy Salad Mix . 1 Jumbo Green often agree to host Marine 1 here Klondike V8 Juice or $ 29 $ $ Strawberry Taste of France! Peppers . 1 lb. Crunchy Pickling Bars. 2/ 5 Splash . 2/ 4 Pillsbury Time! Tom’s ¢ and there throughout the sea- Madeleine Cucumbers . 99 lb. Grands Shortcake $ 99 Extra Large 5.3-7 oz 10 oz. Biscuits Cookies . 4 pkg. son, making it much easier for Buy one Biscuits Beefsteak Imported Seedless Fage Utz Big Bag Get one $ $ $ 99 In-Store Baked $ 49 Clemintines . $ 99 fire crews to get on the water Yogurt. 5/ 5 Chips .... 2 4 pk. $ 99 Tomatoes . 1 lb. 3 FREE! 3/ 5 Peach Pie . 4 ea. 2lb. bag quickly in cases of emergency. "The timing worked out per- Check out our ad at tomsmarket.com Prices in effect July 10-16, 2013 We accept manufacturers coupons! fect," Chief Galinelli said. "The residents down there are very good to us and it helped a lot." GIANT • SPECIALIZED • TREK • MIRRACO HARO • REDLINE • THULE • YAKIMA • BMX Bikes • Kid's Bikes • Cycling Apparel • Electric Bicycles Shop • Accessories • Computerized Locally! • Fitness Equipment Bike Fitting www.EastProvidenceCycle.com 414 Warren Ave., East Providence, RI 02914 401-434-3838 Warren Times-Gazette July 10, 2013 Page 3 Warren celebrates Independence Day The parade was a few miles to the south, but about 15 residents of Warren, Bristol, Bar- rington and other local towns marked the Fourth of July Thurs- day by standing for peace along Route 114 in Warren, near Camp- bell Street. Lisa Mar- tins and Tom Perrotti (pictured, Mr.