Massachusetts Men Killed in Rhode Island I-295 Crash

Two Massachusetts residents were killed in a head-on crash on Interstate 295 in Cumberland, Rhode Island, near the Mendon Road overpass, when a southbound Hyundai driven by Joel Costa crossed the median and collided with a northbound Dodge Ram 1500, with a resulting sideswipe to an Acura ADX. Costa, 29, and his passenger or counterpart Jonathan Welch, 44, were pronounced dead at the scene or shortly after, with Welch later dying at Rhode Island Hospital; neither driver was wearing a seat belt in the final account. Witnesses described Costa as speeding and weaving through the grassy median before veering into oncoming traffic, striking the Dodge head-on and causing the Dodge to roll and sideswipe the Acura. Police have cited excessive speed and loss of control as the primary factors and said the Hyundai briefly caught fire after the impact, with the Hyundai initially becoming smoldering before fully igniting. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities noted the high speeds and reckless driving as key concerns in the crash. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, and multiple vehicles were involved, with traffic disruptions reported in northern Rhode Island.