Early Sunday morning in Lincoln, Rhode Island, a fiery wrong-way crash on Route 146 claimed the lives of two Bryant University juniors and the driver of the other vehicle. State Police say the collision happened just after 12:30 a.m., ripping through the quiet night and leaving families, classmates and the local community stunned by the sudden loss.
Rhode Island State Police say 41-year-old Denis Aguilar Campos, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, was driving a pickup truck the wrong way in the northbound high-speed lanes of Route 146 when his vehicle collided head-on with a Chevrolet Tahoe. The Tahoe was being driven north by 20-year-old Jaylin Rainford, of Randolph, Massachusetts, with 20-year-old Chiemelie Okonkwo, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, as a passenger.
Witnesses reported seeing both vehicles burst into flames on impact. First responders rushed to the scene, but all three occupants were pronounced dead at the site before they could be moved to a hospital. Route 146 northbound was closed for about four hours as emergency crews worked through the wreckage and investigators pieced together what happened.
Rainford and Okonkwo were beloved members of the Bryant University community. Jaylin was a track team member and served as a resident assistant, known for his leadership and encouragement of fellow students. Chiemelie was deeply involved in student life, leading organizations like the Multicultural Student Union and promoting unity and strength across campus.
University President Ross Gittell addressed the campus in a somber message, offering condolences to family and friends and opening counseling and support services for students affected by the tragedy. Faculty, staff and classmates described the two young men as compassionate, driven and integral to the fabric of student life at Bryant.
Investigators are still looking into how Campos came to be driving in the wrong direction just before the crash. Early reports note the pickup was heading south in the northbound lanes when emergency calls first came in about a vehicle going the incorrect way on Route 99 before the collision on Route 146.
As word of the crash spread, tributes to Jaylin and Chiemelie poured in across social media and within the wider university network. Friends spoke of their bright futures and the void their loss leaves behind. Support services remain available for anyone struggling with the news.
This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and the deep impact of traffic tragedies on families and communities. State Police continue their inquiry and are asking anyone with information to come forward as the investigation progresses.
