Cranston, RI (August 3, 2026) – Five people were injured after a suspected drunk driver struck the rear of a pickup truck on Sunday, August 2, along Route 37 in Cranston.
The police said the crash happened shortly before 4 a.m. when a car traveling at a high rate of speed hit the back of a pickup truck carrying a family of five. Investigators identified the car’s driver as 29-year-old Enrique Alvarado of Providence. According to officials, Alvarado attempted to leave the scene before being stopped by the pickup truck’s driver.
Officers reported observing multiple signs of alcohol impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes, difficulty standing, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage; they said Alvarado refused field sobriety testing and later declined a chemical breath test at the police station. All five people in the pickup truck were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one person was treated for serious facial injuries and the other four received care for minor injuries. Alvarado was also taken to the hospital and is expected to face a charge of driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
We hope those injured make a full and speedy recovery.
How Speeding and Impaired Driving Impact Crash Severity?
Speeding and impaired driving are two of the most dangerous behaviors on the road, and the risks become even greater when they occur together. Excessive speed reduces the time available to react to changing traffic conditions, while alcohol can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. These factors significantly increase the likelihood of a serious collision.
Rear-end crashes at high speeds cause substantial damage because occupants in the struck vehicle may have little warning before impact. The force of the collision can lead to severe injuries, particularly when multiple passengers are involved.
Following crashes involving suspected impairment, investigators commonly examine witness statements, vehicle damage, roadway evidence, and toxicology results. These findings help establish the sequence of events and determine the factors that contributed to the collision.
