ABC6 is reporting that

a 13 year-old boy who was struck while crossing Route 102 on his bicycle has died as a result of his injuries. The accident happened around 7pm Wednesday evening, at the intersection of Victory Highway and North Main Street. The boy, now identified as 13 year-old Scott Wright of North Smithfield, was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and later died. The driver of the minivan that hit the boy has been identified as Patricia Auger, 57, of Burrillville. Auger has not been charged in the accident, which is still under investigation by the police department’s Accident Reconstruction Unit. Police have scheduled a press conference at 1pm Thursday to discuss the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to another cycling family on the loss of a loved one. If anyone happens to hear further details, please add a comment to this post. As always, we’d be interested in knowing the details of the accident.

Update (11/8/2010):

There is a little more information about this accident now than when put up the original post. Initial police reports indicate that

the collision took place with the bicycle in the crosswalk. Wright was thrown 30 to 40 feet, landing near the middle of the intersection. Auger stopped a little farther east on Route 102, which is also Route 146a.

I would think that to throw someone 30 to 40 feet, the car must have been moving at a fairly high rate of speed. An eyewitness stated that as

the bicyclist traveled across Route 102, the light changed to green,” explained North Smithfield Police Captain Tim Lafleur. “I just saw him driving across the street and a utility truck stopped, let him go, and the van just came around and smacked right into him. It was awful, it was awful.”

Naturally, no charges have been pressed for the driver. My understanding of law enforcement requirements are that in order to charge the driver with something they need either a) to witness the act themselves or b) have an impartial witness. It certainly sounds like there was an impartial witness in this case, yet no charges have yet to be filed??? Is this another case where a motorist is able to claim “they didn’t see someone” and get away with involuntary manslaughter?