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Rhode Island judge struck by car near State House


Yellow crime scene tape blocks off a portion of the road near the Rhode Island State House where police say Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Richard Licht was hit by a car,  Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (WJAR)
Yellow crime scene tape blocks off a portion of the road near the Rhode Island State House where police say Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Richard Licht was hit by a car, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (WJAR)
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Providence police said Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Richard Licht was hit by a car Wednesday night near the State House.

Chief Oscar Perez said Licht, 74, was seriously injured and taken to Rhode Island Hospital.

Supreme Court Chief Paul Suttell said Thursday that Licht was in serious condition.

According to investigators, Licht was attempting to cross the street shortly after 6:20 p.m. when he was hit by a Jeep.

NBC 10 New observed a section of the road near the State House blocked off by yellow crime scene tape while investigators walked through the scene. A minor dent could be seen on the right side of the Jeep's hood.

A witness told the NBC 10 I-Team that Licht was not walking in a crosswalk outside the State House, but rather down the hill near the State House parking lot and media parking spaces on Smith Street.

The witness said they saw a person in the road who was unconscious but eventually regained consciousness. The witness could not confirm if it was Licht, but observed a laptop on the ground nearby with the words "R. Licht," on it.

Police said no charges have been filed against the driver at this time.

“We look at impairment speed distraction. That all comes into play and we don’t have the final result so we can’t tell you," said Capt. Luis San Lucas.

Licht was appointed to the bench by former Gov. Lincoln Chaffee in May 2014. He previously served as a lieutenant governor under former Gov. Edward DiPrete.

Licht was also formerly an attorney, state senator and director of the Department of Administration.

NBC 10's Leanna Faulk contributed to this report.

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