Coventry hit-and-run suspect faces judge

Source: WPRI.com
Author: Sarah Doiron

COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) -- The Connecticut man charged in connection with a hit-and-run that injured an officer in Coventry earlier this week has turned himself in, according to police.

Ryland Roy, 19, of Thompson, is accused of hitting an officer with his car on the Coventry Greenway, also known as the Trestle Trail.

Officers were called to the Coventry Greenway Tuesday night to break up a gathering near the Old Rail Bridge.

Police said that, as the officers approached the gathering, a vehicle began to drive off. The driver, later identified as Roy, hit one of the officers before heading toward the Connecticut state line.

Roy was arrested in Connecticut Wednesday as a fugitive from justice. He has since posted bail and "unexpectedly turned himself in" at the Coventry Police Department, according to Captain Ryan DeSisto.

DeSisto said Roy has been charged with felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, driving to endanger and failure to stop in an accident resulting in serious bodily injury. He faced a judge Friday morning and was granted $5,000 surety bail.

Court records indicate that Roy, who lives just over the state line, was also given permission to leave Rhode Island. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 19.

This isn't the only hit-and-run being investigated by the Coventry Police Department. Two firefighters were hit and injured by a car while responding to a medical emergency earlier this month on Victory Highway.

Investigators are now offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of that driver.