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Above, a Google Street view image shows the intersection of Providence and South Main in Woonsocket, RI, site of the fatal accident. Inset show obituary image of victim, Brian Blanchette.
A week after his arrest and a hearing in Wrentham District Court, Franklin resident, Reed Barbour, 22, remains in custody in Massachusetts at the Norfolk County Jail, in Dedham. Barbour was wanted in connection with a collision, just before midnight on Friday, April 21 in Woonsocket in which a vehicle allegedly driven by Barbour, struck a jeep operated by Thomas Seuss, 55, of Woonsocket, who suffered multiple injuries. His passenger, Brian Blanchette of Bellingham, was thrown from the vehicle.
When police arrived, they found the other vehicle left in the road, unoccupied, allegedly by Barbour, who fled the scene, possibly accompanied by one or more passengers.
Woonsocket Police were able to identify Barbour and requested his arrest by Franklin Police. According to a report by Providence-based WPRI TV, Woonsocket Police also said drugs or alcohol were likely involved in the accident.
According to WPRI, police reports state that fellow members of the motorcycle club to which Blanchette belonged, knew Barbour and where he lived and were planning to harm him.
The WPRI report implied that this concern led Barbour to hide with family members elsewhere in Franklin. When Police did contact his home, family members there led them to where he was located and he was placed under arrest.
Contacted Tuesday, the Rhode Island District Attorney referred us to the Rhode Island court system, which,in turn, did not have anyone named Reed Barbour on file.
Garret Nichols, spokesperson for the Norfolk County Sheriff confirmed yesterday that Barbour remained in their custody.
David Traub, spokesperson for the Norfolk County District Attorney said his office had no knowledge of the current state of affairs regarding Barbour. However, he did caution that “generally speaking, the rendition from state-to-state can take a little time. If Rhode Island authorities are going to segregate a party for protection reasons, those arrangements would most commonly be done within the state. The various sheriffs have agreements within that group to provide that – at least in Massachusetts,” he said.
