CHS Grad Charged With DUI Resulting In Death of Pedestrian on I-95

2011 Coventry High School graduate Conner Forsythe, 20, of 607 Hope Furnace Road, Hope, was arrested by Rhode Island State Police early Sunday morning after he allegedly struck a pedestrian in Pawtucket while driving impaired.

According to RI State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, at 4:40 a.m. on Oct. 27, the State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks received a 911 call reporting that a male, dressed in dark clothing, was walking in the center lane of Route 95 South in the vicinity of Smithfield Avenue, in Pawtucket. Seconds later, the barracks received a second call reporting that a subject was lying in the first lane of travel just north of the Smithfield Avenue exit. A third 911 caller reported that he had just struck what he believed to be debris in the first lane of travel. Troopers from the Lincoln Woods Barracks, Pawtucket Police and Fire were dispatched to the scene.

As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle allegedly being operated by Forsythe. According to reports, the collision sent the pedestrian into the first lane of travel before he was struck by a second vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by members of the Pawtucket Fire Department.

Forsythe allegedly displayed obvious signs of impairment at the scene. Troopers placed him in custody and transported him to the Lincoln Woods Barracks where he refused a breathalyzer test. A court authorized search warrant was prepared by Troopers and then signed by the Honorable Judge William C. Clifton. Forsythe was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where blood samples were drawn. Testing of the collected blood samples will be conducted by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Forsythe was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace at the Lincoln Barracks on the charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, Death Resulting, and was also summonsed for Refusal to Submit to a Breathalyzer. 

After failing to post the $50,000 set for him, Forsythe was transported to the Adult Correctional Institution’s Men’s Intake Center pending a bail review hearing scheduled for Monday, Oct. 28, in Sixth District Court. 

At this time, the name of the victim is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.