Burrillville man killed in Putnam Pike collision
Volunteer firefighter Lawrence Castonguay killed, wife in critical condition; driver in second car faces felony charges
GLOCESTER – A veteran Burrillville volunteer firefighter was killed and his wife is in critical condition after the truck they were riding in was struck by a car in West Glocester Wednesday night.
Police say Lawrence R. Castonguay, 73, of Mowry Street, Harrisville, a passenger in the truck, was killed in the crash, which occurred around 10:04 p.m. on Route 44 near Cady’s Tavern.
The truck was being driven by Castonguay’s wife, 71year-old Marie Castonguay, when it was struck by a car being driven by Samuel Smith, 27, of 1120 Quaddick Town Farm Road, Thompson, Connecticut.
The Castonguays were extricated from the truck by rescue crews from the West Glocester, Chepachet and Harmony Fire Departments and transported to Rhode Island Hospital were Lawrence Castonguay was pronounced dead on arrival. Marie Castonguay was being listed in critical condition Thursday.
According to police reports, Smith was leaving the parking lot of Cady’s Tavern in his 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo SS, spinning his tires onto Putnam Pike and heading west bound, when he lost control and crossed into the east bound lane and struck Castonguay’s truck.
Castonguay’s truck left the roadway and struck a large tree before coming to rest, police said.
Smith, who was treated at the scene for minor injuries,
was arrested by Glocester police and charged with driving to endanger death resulting and driving to endanger resulting in serious bodily injury, both felonies.
Smith pled not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in 3rd District Court. He is being held on $10,000 surety bail pending his next court appearance on Nov. 17.
Lawrence Castonguay was a volunteer firefighter for the Harrisville Fire Department for close to 44 years.
“We are all deeply saddened,” said Harrisville Fire Chief Mark St. Pierre. “Larry had been sidelined recently because of medical issues and he had just been cleared by his doctors to return to active duty.”
St. Pierre described him as a quiet, soft spoken man who was the handyman of the department.
“He was very handy and was always fixing things for us,” he said. “He will be missed and we are praying for Marie’s quick recovery.”