News Summary
A devastating accident in Providence has left a pedestrian, Lucas Garcia, dead after being struck by a school bus. The incident occurred at a busy intersection, prompting renewed discussions on pedestrian safety. The bus driver has been cited for several traffic violations and faces a court appearance. The community mourns Garcia’s loss, with local organizations rallying support for his family. This marks the second fatality at the same intersection in three years, raising ongoing safety concerns in Providence.
Providence – A tragic accident involving a school bus and a pedestrian occurred on October 2, resulting in the death of Lucas Garcia, 38 years old. The incident took place at approximately 5:48 a.m. at the intersection of Union Avenue and the Route 10 North on-ramp in Providence, Rhode Island.
Garcia was in the crosswalk when he was struck by the school bus driven by Jose A. Roche Rivera, 44, who has been cited for several violations including violating the right of way in crosswalks, failing to exercise due care as a driver, and failing to yield the right of way when turning left. At the time of the accident, Roche Rivera was operating a 2017 Thomas Freightliner B2 bus for First Student Inc., with only a bus monitor onboard and no students present.
Following the collision, Garcia was transported to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries later that day. Roche Rivera and the bus monitor remained at the scene following the incident to assist authorities. The weather was clear at the time, and traffic control devices at the intersection were functioning properly.
As a result of the citations, Roche Rivera faces a total fee of $306 and is scheduled to appear in the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal by November 18. Reports indicate that he was emotionally upset following the accident.
The Providence Streets Coalition organized a vigil for Garcia, which took place the following Tuesday afternoon. In addition, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with transporting Garcia’s body back to his native country.
This incident marks the second fatality at the same intersection within three years, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. In April 2022, a 76-year-old pedestrian was killed at the same location. In response to the tragic incident, First Student has announced that they are cooperating with the Providence Police Department and conducting an internal review.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Lucas Garcia. The recent events have reignited discussions regarding pedestrian safety at busy intersections in Providence and the need for greater awareness and caution among drivers.
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Additional Resources
- ABC6
- Wikipedia: Pedestrian safety
- Turn to 10
- Google Search: Providence pedestrian safety
- WPRI
- Google Scholar: pedestrian safety intersections
- Boston Globe
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic safety
- Patch
- Google News: Providence school bus crash
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.
