Federal Grand Jury Indicts Driver In Fatal Accident On Naval Station Newport

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence, R.I., on Tuesday returned a one-count indictment charging Alan Bradley, 53, of Newport, R.I., with operating a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others resulting in the death of another person.

Bradley was released on unsecured bond and standard conditions, with the additional condition that he not drive, following his arraignment today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. A not guilty plea was entered.

The indictment was brought as a result of an investigation conducted by Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Rhode Island State Police into a fatal motor vehicle accident which occurred on Naval Station Newport on September 26, 2013. It is alleged that Bradley was driving a vehicle that struck and killed Navy Police Detective Frank Lema.

The indictment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Leo Lamont, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of Naval Criminal Investigative Service; and Colonel Stephen G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Operating a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others resulting in the death of another person is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison followed by up to 3 years’ supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000.

The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch.

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