News Summary
Dino DiFante, the general manager of Trattoria Appia, is in a medically induced coma following a severe Vespa accident in Providence. The crash occurred at the intersection of Smith Street and Meridian Street as DiFante attempted to avoid a car. Simultaneously, a separate crash involved a vehicle crashing into a restaurant, and police are investigating a stabbing incident from the same night. Community members are urged to stay vigilant as safety concerns arise in the city.
Providence – A restaurant manager, Dino DiFante, is currently in a medically induced coma following a serious crash in Providence. The accident took place on Friday at the intersection of Smith Street and Meridian Street.
Dino DiFante, a 47-year-old general manager at Trattoria Appia located on Federal Hill, was riding a Vespa when he swerved to avoid a car and subsequently crashed. Witnesses report that he was found bleeding from his face on the side of the road after the incident. The Vespa fell onto its side, dragging DiFante along the street, necessitating immediate medical attention. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.
As emergency responders attended to DiFante, authorities were also dealing with a separate car crash involving a Pawtucket resident, Glorimar Diaz. Diaz crashed her vehicle into the Backstage Kitchen Restaurant at Hotel Providence around 12:21 a.m. on Friday morning. She now faces multiple charges, including duty to give information and render aid and lane roadway violations. Witnesses claimed they saw a white Honda Civic with front-end damage flee the scene post-crash. Diaz is scheduled to appear in court in February.
In an unrelated incident, a Providence police officer was involved in a severe collision on Federal Hill while responding to a backup call. The officer had activated sirens and lights before the accident and has since been released from medical care, with reports indicating that they are doing well. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision received citations for multiple traffic violations following the crash.
Police are also investigating a reported stabbing incident that occurred at Saje Kitchen on Federal Hill during a comedy show on Friday night. A male in his 50s sustained multiple lacerations and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Witnesses indicate that a fight broke out in the comedy show, spilling out onto the sidewalk, involving a suspect armed with a knife. A security guard on site managed to secure the weapon, which has been confiscated by police as evidence. In a simultaneous incident, a second male stabbing victim arrived at Roger Williams Hospital with stab wounds to his stomach. Detectives are actively looking into the details of this stabbing case.
The series of unfortunate events occurring in Providence highlights ongoing safety concerns within the city. The medical condition of Dino DiFante remains critical as the investigations unfold around these incidents. Community members are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as authorities work to manage these cases.
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Additional Resources
- Turn to 10: Restaurant Manager in Coma after Crash
- ABC 6: Police Identify Driver in Car vs Hotel Crash
- Boston Globe: Hit-and-Run at Providence Restaurant
- WPRI: Federal Hill Restaurant Owner Dies in Nightclub Collapse
- ABC 6: Federal Hill Mourns Loss of Restaurant Owner
- Wikipedia: Providence, Rhode Island
- Google Search: Providence accidents
- Google Scholar: Providence traffic accidents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Providence
- Google News: Providence restaurant news
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
