Lincoln, RI (January 25, 2026) – Tragedy struck early on Sunday morning in Lincoln after a wrong-way crash on Route 146 claimed the lives of two Bryant University students, prompting a prolonged emergency response and highway closure.
Officials confirmed the crash occurred near Exit 7, just before the Route 116 junction, in the early hours of January 25. According to Bryant University President Ross Gittell, the two victims were students, one from Massachusetts and the other from Georgia. The collision was described as a heartbreaking event that stemmed from another driver traveling the wrong way on the highway.
Smoke was seen rising from one of the vehicles, which had come to rest pinned atop the center median, as first responders arrived. Emergency crews from Lincoln and state agencies responded quickly, while three units from the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office were dispatched to the scene to assist with recovery efforts.
A second vehicle was also damaged in the incident, though details on additional injuries have not been released. The southbound and northbound lanes of Route 146 were both shut down for several hours while authorities conducted on-scene investigations and cleared the wreckage. According to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), traffic on the southbound side resumed around 4 a.m.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the events leading up to the crash, including the factors contributing to the wrong-way entry onto Route 146. Officials have not confirmed whether charges will be filed.
Our deepest condolences are with the families, friends, and campus community mourning this devastating loss.
