No Charges for R.I. Lawmaker Who Left Scene of Minor Accident

Rhode Island Rep. Timothy Williamson will not face charges after leaving the scene of a minor car accident last month, an incident police have described as a hit-and-run.

Williamson, a West Warwick Democrat and the town solicitor, struck a parked car and then drove off while leaving the parking lot of a veterans club on Dec. 20, said police Sgt. Mark Bennett.

Williamson described the collision as “not even a fender bender” and blamed West Warwick critics for “making rumors up.”

He said he was on the phone with his wife at the time of the collision and did not learn he had struck the car until the vehicle’s owner contacted him that night.

Williamson said he had already paid for the damages, which he said totaled less than $200.

“When it was brought to my attention, it was resolved,” he said.

Bennett, the police sergeant, said a witness to the accident recognized Williamson and told the car’s owner, who then contacted the police. He said he considered the case closed.

“It’s not something we intend to look into further. This type of thing happens all the time.”

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/