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by LEANNA FAULK, NBC 10 NEWS
CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — An 80-year-old man was struck and killed while crossing Atwood Avenue Friday night, according to Cranston police.
Major Todd Patalano said the man was crossing the road near 760 Atwood Ave. when he was hit by a car just after arriving to meet friends at the San Bernardo Society, a social club he attended every Friday.
“So tonight, we have a pedestrian versus vehicle accident where it's 760 Atwood Avenue,” Patalano said. “We had an individual 80-year-old male crossing the street. He was struck by a vehicle, and he was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.”
Investigators say the victim had parked across the street in the northbound lane and was walking toward the club when he was hit.
“He pulled over, parked in the northbound lane, attempted to cross Atwood Avenue and he was headed to the San Bernardo Society to meet some friends, and a vehicle struck him,” Patalano said.
Police said the driver stayed on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Patalano said the driver was behind the wheel of an unregistered vehicle and had a suspended license.
“The vehicle is unregistered. He does have a suspended license,” Patalano said. “At some point he will be charged. Exactly what those charges are we don't know until the investigation is complete.”
Members inside the San Bernardo Society said the victim, identified by friends only as Richard, was a longtime attendee who came every Friday to play cards and smoke cigars. Ernest Masi, a club member, said Richard was a Vietnam veteran and a beloved part of their group.
“He came every Friday, and he was a Vietnam veteran,” Masi said. “We're all sad as far as the club is concerned and we pray for Richard and his family.”
Masi said seeing the aftermath was heartbreaking.
“The thing that hurt me the most is when he got hit, his hat was on the ground,” he said. “I tried to pick it up, but they stopped me. The police officers said it's part of the crime scene.”
Neighbors on Atwood Avenue told NBC 10 speed and poor lighting have long been issues on the busy road.
Joe Pennacchia, who was visiting family nearby, said he arrived to find the street blocked off.
“I came to visit my aunt and uncle, and everything was blocked for me to come in. That’s when I noticed that something was wrong,” he said.
He said the stretch of road is dangerously dark.
“It’s very sad, especially when there’s no lights or nothing,” Pennacchia said. “It’s really dark.”
Pennacchia said learning the driver did not have a license or registration made the tragedy even more difficult to accept.
“Doesn’t have a license and no registration or nothing. [He] shouldn’t be even walking on the street right now. I don’t care,” he said.
Police have not released the name of the victim. The crash remains under investigation, and charges against the driver are pending.
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