Cranston Man Assaults Father & Son Business Owners, Police Allege

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man is being charged with two counts of felony assault after he allegedly hit a father and son, the owners of Cranston Collision, police said. Willard Whiting, 45, was charged with one count of Felony Assault on a person over 60 for assaulting the business owner, and one count of Felony Assault on a person causing serious bodily injury for assaulting the son.

The incident happened Sunday around 1:33 a.m. at the business, 30 Walnut Grove Ave. The two victims had gone to their lot to cover up a convertible which had been towed in with the top down. Rain was expected. When they arrived, they walked into a disturbance, police said.

They "heard a male subject on the north side of the business later identified as Willard Whiting screaming and yelling at a female to get on the motorcycle," police said. "The disturbance and yelling continued and when the owner and his son approached them Whiting allegedly attacked the owner and his son causing serious bodily injury." He fled. Both victims were taken to Rhode Island Hospital. The father was treated and released, but the son is still hospitalized.

A witness gave police the license plate of the motorcycle along with a description, police said. Whiting was arrested Tuesday and released on $5000 personal recognizance.