Cranston Officer Hit, Injured By ATV Rider: Police

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston police officer was injured New Year's Day when he was hit by a motorcycle. The officer was released from the hospital and "is expected to return to duty soon," according to Chief Michael Winquist.

The incident happened just before 4 p.m. on Atwood Avenue. According to the department, the officer was on duty in a marked cruiser when he came upon a group of about 30 people on ATVs and motorcycles. The group was driving "recklessly with complete disregard for the motoring public," weaving in and out of traffic, speeding and ignoring stoplights and other traffic signals.

One of the riders, who was riding without a registration, stopped in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, then dropping the bike in the street. The officer got out of his cruiser and walked up to the driver, who was later identified as 23-year-old Shyanne Boisvert of North Providence. She pushed the officer, the department said, and he knocked her to the ground to arrest her.

As the officer kneeled in the roadway to arrest Boisvert, several other members of the group "began to circle him with their vehicles in a threatening manner," according to the department.

One of the drivers revved his engine, lurching forward and hitting the officer intentionally and riding over the back of his legs. Another person smashed out the back window of the police cruiser.

Police later found Boisvert's motorcycle license plate inside her backpack.

The man who hit the officer was later identified as 33-year-old Eduardo Rivera, of Warwick. He and other members of the group drove away, and other officers tried to pull them over. The group refused to stop and the officers focused on stopping Rivera, chasing his through Johnston and Providence. On Plainfield Pike, the ATV hit the side of one of the cruisers and broke down. Rivera then jumped onto the back of another ATV, driven by Kemoni Mitchell, 22, of Providence.

The second ATV headed into Providence, when Mitchell lost control on Union Avenue and crashed into another car. Both Mitchell and Rivera tried to run away before they were stopped by police.

At the time of their arrest, Mitchell had both marijuana and crack cocaine in his possession, according to police.

Rivera, Mitchell and Boisvert were charged with the following. All three will also face several traffic violations.

Rivera

• Felony Assault
• Reckless Driving/Eluding an Officer in High-Speed Pursuit
• Resisting Arrest

Mitchell:

• Reckless Driving/Eluding an Officer in High-Speed Pursuit
• Possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance with the intent to deliver (Crack cocaine)
• Resisting Arrest
• Obstructing an Officer in Execution of Duty
• Disorderly Conduct

Boisvert

• Simple Assault
• Reckless Driving
• Resisting Arrest
• Disorderly Conduct

The injured officer was taken to the hospital and later released. Three other officers were slightly injured during the chase and arrest of Mitchell and Rivera, but did not require medical attention. Mitchell was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with a cut on his hand, which police believe happened when he climbed a fence as he ran away from the officers.

"This incident illustrates the dangers associated with the reckless and illegal operation of all-terrain vehicles on public roadways," Winquist said. "This problem is occurring in many metropolitan cities across the country. Law enforcement cannot turn a blind eye and allow these operators to take over our city and town streets through intimidation and assaultive behavior. The brazen assault of a police officer is reprehensible, and those responsible are now facing serious criminal charges."