East Providence Man, 49, Killed In Head-On Cranston Crash

CRANSTON, RI — One person died in a head-on crash late Thursday night in Cranston, police said. The victim was identified as 49-year-old Louis Costa of East Providence.

The crash happened just before 11:30 p.m. at 524 Atwood Avenue. According to police, Costa was driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra the wrong way in the southbound lane when he crashed into a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SUV headed in the right direction, hitting it head-on.

A witness told police that Costa was driving on the car's rim with a blown front tire before the crash, heading south, when he turned around. The witness followed the car after it crossed the center line, and said Costa was driving above the speed limit when his car hit the SUV.

Costa had to be extricated from the wreck with hydraulics and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Three people in the Mercedes were taken to the hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

Police used nearby surveillance video to confirm the witness' story. Both alcohol and speed are believed to have been factors in the crash, the department said.