Traveling back from Connecticut early Saturday morning, longtime Alderman Paul Coletti struck an abandoned vehicle in the passing lane of Interstate 95 near Attleboro and was taken to the emergency room in the Rhode Island Hospital.
He underwent surgery for internal bleeding and is now in intensive care. According to his son, he was “alert and conscious” following the operation.
“He is good, considering what happened,” said Paul’s son, Matt Coletti. “Right now, his ability to communicate is limited by the medication he is on, but he is recovering.”
Matt has been told that his father will fully recover and will make it home next week.
The accident occurred at roughly 1:30 a.m. on Saturday and could have resulted in more serious injuries had Coletti not seen the car in time to slow, according to friend and colleague Anthony Salvucci.
Coletti, who serves as Finance Committee chairman on the Board of Aldermen, also suffered the loss of both his parents in the last six months.
Of the accident, Salvucci said, “He has too much on his plate. He is helping so many people. He is spread too thin.”
