News Summary
In a shocking incident in North Providence, a 29-year-old town employee is facing felony charges after allegedly filling a coworker’s Gatorade bottle with windshield wiper fluid as a prank. The victim consumed the tainted drink and had to be hospitalized for observation. The employee, Alessio D’Andrea, has been placed on unpaid leave, and criticism has arisen over hiring practices that did not conduct a background check. This dangerous prank emphasizes the need for workplace safety protocols and proper employee conduct.
North Providence – A 29-year-old town employee has been charged with poisoning a coworker in what has been described as a disturbing prank. Alessio D’Andrea, a resident of Johnston, was arrested by North Providence Police on July 28, following an incident that occurred at the Department of Public Works (DPW) on June 27.
According to reports, D’Andrea allegedly filled an empty Gatorade bottle with windshield wiper fluid while two coworkers looked on. The tainted bottle was then placed back in a shared refrigerator at the workplace. An unsuspecting coworker drank from the bottle and quickly realized that it did not contain the expected Gatorade. When informed by colleagues that it was intended as a prank, the victim self-transported to the hospital where he remained for one and a half days under medical observation.
Ingestion of windshield washer fluid, which contains methanol, can lead to serious health issues, including stomach upset, vomiting, and potentially blindness or death. Due to the potential hazards associated with this substance, the victim’s health was treated with immediate concern.
As a result of the incident, D’Andrea has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from his position at the DPW. He was arraigned on a felony charge without entering a plea and was granted a $20,000 surety bail. The conditions of his bail prohibit him from contacting the victim, require him to maintain peace, and prevent him from leaving the state of Rhode Island.
In addition to the recent felony charge, D’Andrea is awaiting trial on unrelated federal firearms charges, which include illegal possession of firearms and the importation of an automatic weapon from China. Authorities discovered a total of 27 firearms in D’Andrea’s home during a 2023 investigation, raising further concerns about his judgment and behavior.
D’Andrea’s hiring in June 2024 has come under scrutiny, with criticism directed toward the lack of a background check prior to his employment. Human Resources Director Josh Hernandez has acknowledged this oversight, citing it as a failure on the part of the human resources department. The situation has prompted an internal investigation to determine why the two coworkers who witnessed the act did not report it to management.
Mayor Charles Lombardi has characterized the event as “a joke that went bad,” highlighting the need for greater accountability amongst employees. The city is facing pressure to ensure that such reckless behavior is addressed promptly and appropriately to prevent any future incidents of this nature.
The case has raised significant concerns about workplace safety and the responsibility of employees to maintain a respectful and safe environment. As the community grapples with the consequences of the prank, it underscores the importance of thorough background checks and diligent reporting protocols within municipal departments to protect the wellbeing of all employees.
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Additional Resources
- Turn to 10 News
- WPRI News
- Providence Journal
- Wikipedia: Workplace Safety
- Boston Globe
- Google Search: North Providence Poisoning Incident
