Charlestown PD official statement on Serra arrest

News Release
from the Charlestown Police Department

Charlestown Police Department arraigned Ms. Terri Serra of Richmond on the charge of Duty to Render Aid, 11-56-1 of the RI General Law, this morning while she was at Washington County Court house. She was there asking a change in her bail on the Richmond Police Charge of violating the Social Host law. This arrest was based on a witness statement obtained on Monday the 25^th.  She was given $1,000 Personal Recognizance and a pre-trial date for December 1 in 4^th District Court.

According to a witness, moments after the crash, he exited his residence to check on the accident. As he does he observes a white Scion stop at the scene and a female, later identified as Serra, exits the vehicle. Serra, according to the witness, does not approach the crash; she stands in the road yelling at one of the injured boys. According to witnesses, she does not offer to help any of the victims, she does not call 911, and she does not ask if anyone has called 911. She then leaves the scene, only to return a short while later.

Based on Ms. Serra’ failure to render any reasonable assistance to the four injured boys, and her failure to call for help or inquire if help is coming and then leave the scene, she was charged under 11-56-1.

§ 11-56-1  Duty to assist. – Any person at the scene of an emergency who knows that another person is exposed to, or has suffered, grave physical harm shall, to the extent that he or she can do so without danger or peril to himself or herself or to others, give reasonable assistance to the exposed person. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1984, ch. 416, § 1.)