Early Sunday morning, an ordinary stretch of Route 146 in Lincoln, Rhode Island turned into a scene of heartbreak and loss. Around 12:27 a.m., multiple 911 calls alerted state police to a vehicle barreling the wrong way — south in the northbound lanes of Route 99, then onto Route 146 north. Moments later, that vehicle collided head‑on with another, setting both cars ablaze.
The crash claimed the lives of three people at the scene. One was 41‑year‑old Denis Aguilar Campos, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, the driver of a Ford pickup truck that had veered into oncoming traffic. The other two were 20‑year‑old students from Bryant University — Jaylin Rainford of Randolph, Massachusetts, and Chiemelie Okonkwo of Lawrenceville, Georgia — who were traveling in a Chevrolet Tahoe.
Troopers say Campos was driving in the high‑speed northbound lane of Route 146 in the wrong direction as he approached Route 116, when his pickup slammed directly into the Tahoe, which was heading the right way in the same lane. Both vehicles burst into flames on impact, leaving first responders no chance to save those inside.
News of the crash sent shockwaves through Bryant University, where Rainford and Okonkwo were outspoken, well‑liked juniors. Rainford was involved in the university’s track and field program, remembered by teammates as a joyful, driven young man. Okonkwo was known for his energy, kindness, and deep involvement in student life. Campus leaders described both as shining examples of the community spirit Bryant prides itself on.
In a message shared on social media, Bryant University officials said the campus was reeling from the tragedy. Classes were canceled Monday, and counseling services were made available for students, faculty, and staff struggling with the sudden and emotional loss. “We hold Jaylin and David, and all who loved them, close in our thoughts and hearts,” the university wrote.
State police cordoned off the northbound lanes of Route 146 for about four hours, slowing the morning commute as crews worked through the wreckage. Investigators continue to piece together what led Campos onto the highway in the wrong direction, with authorities urging drivers to stay vigilant and report dangerous driving immediately.
Friends, classmates, and community members have begun sharing memories of Rainford and Okonkwo, speaking of their warmth, ambition, and the bright futures they were building. In the small moments of connection and remembrance, the impact of their loss is being deeply felt far beyond Rhode Island’s highways.
