Cell Phone Call Leads to Johnston Crash, Suspended License Arrest

A Johnston man faces one count of driving with an expired license and three Municipal Court citations following an accident on Oct. 13, Johnston Police reported.

Russell Savickas, 51, of 27 Craigie Ave., told officers that he was driving his 2003 Jeep Cherokee south on George Waterman Road near Our Lady of Grace Church at about 8:15 on Saturday when his cell phone rang.

Ptlm. David Galligan reported that Savickas said he looked down at the phone and "veered off the roadway," with his car hitting a parked pick-up truck in the breakdown lane in front of 30 George Waterman Rd.

The collision pushed the pickup truck into the travel lane and caused major damage to both vehicles, with the bed of the pickup "pushed several feet toward the cab" and the front end of Savickas's Jeep "pushed in several feet toward the windshield," Galligan wrote.

Savickas refused treatment from Johnston Fire Department personnel, Galligan noted in his report.

The owner of the 2006 Dodge Ram pickup, Robert Colaluca, said he was visiting a friend when he heard the crash, according to Galligan's report.

Savickas's vehicle was towed from the scene; Colaluca said he would arrange for a tow.

Galligan also reported that officers released Savickas with a summons to appear in Third District Court, Warwick, on Oct. 24.