Joseph Pompei facing several charges after deadly crash on I-95 in North Attleboro
ATTLEBORO - A driver is now facing several charges, including motor vehicle homicide, after a deadly crash on Route 95 in North Attleboro Monday.
Massachusetts State Police said 50-year-old Joseph Pompei was driving a Buick on 95 south around 4 p.m. when he hit a Cadillac Escalade, causing it to cross over the median into the northbound lanes. That's where the SUV collided head-on with a Jaguar.
The Jaguar driver, 58-year-old Randall Ricketts of Foxboro, was rushed to the hospital where he died.
The Escalade driver spent the night at Rhode Island Hospital and remains in critical condition. Two passengers in the SUV, a woman and a 5-year-old child, were also hurt and are in the hospital in stable condition.
Investigators said a witness told them Pompei got out of his car, shrugged, got back in his car and took off after the crash. Police said they later found him in Attleboro with his car, which had a flat tire and front-end damage. He allegedly told them he had hit a tree. Detectives gave him "roadside assessments" and said he was not steady on his feet.
Pompei, who lives in Cranston, Rhode Island, was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, leaving the scene of an accident death resulting and two counts of the leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday in Attleboro District Court and was ordered held on $50,000 bail. His lawyer told WPRI-TV Pompei denies being involved and said he didn't hit any other vehicles.
