Tragic Wrong-Way Crash Claims Lives in Lincoln, Rhode Island

Lincoln, Rhode Island, January 26, 2026

A wrong-way crash in Lincoln, Rhode Island, resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals, including two students from Bryant University. The collision occurred early Sunday morning and has left the community in mourning as investigations unfold into the cause of this horrific accident. The loss of young lives has struck a deep chord within the Bryant community and raised concerns about road safety.

Lincoln, Rhode Island

Early Sunday morning, January 25, 2026, a tragic wrong-way crash in Lincoln, Rhode Island, claimed the lives of three individuals, a somber occurrence that now casts a quiet shadow over two states. Among the deceased were two residents of Massachusetts, their futures suddenly stilled. The accident also grievously impacted the Bryant University community, as two of its students were counted among those lost, a poignant reminder of lives just beginning to unfold. Rhode Island State Police have initiated an investigation to understand the precise circumstances of this devastating incident.

Immediate Aftermath and Identification

The collision unfolded in the pre-dawn hours, with 911 dispatchers receiving calls around 12:30 a.m. reporting a vehicle traveling southbound on Route 99 North. Shortly thereafter, additional calls reported a crash involving the same vehicle on Route 146 North in Lincoln. Details emerging from the scene indicate a fiery wrong-way crash. A Ford pickup truck, operated by 41-year-old Denis Aguilar Campos of Chelsea, Massachusetts, was traveling southbound in the high-speed lane of Route 146 North when it collided head-on with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames. Mr. Campos, along with the driver of the Tahoe, 20-year-old Jaylin Rainford of Randolph, Massachusetts, and a passenger, 20-year-old Chiemelie David Okonkwo of Lawrenceville, Georgia, were all pronounced dead at the scene. Jaylin Rainford and Chiemelie David Okonkwo were confirmed to be junior students at Bryant University.

The Human Toll at Bryant University

The news of two Bryant University students, Jaylin Rainford and Chiemelie David Okonkwo, being among the deceased reverberates through the campus, a community built on shared aspirations and daily interactions. For any institution of learning, such a loss is felt acutely, a severance not only of individual lives but also of the collective spirit. Bryant University President Ross Gittell confirmed the heartbreaking news, noting that Jaylin and David were juniors and cherished members of the Bryant community. The university announced the cancellation of classes and the closure of administrative offices for Monday, January 26, to allow the community to mourn. Jaylin Rainford was a talented athlete on the Bryant Bulldogs track and field team and served as an RA, while Chiemelie David Okonkwo was deeply involved with student organizations, including serving as Director of Black Enterprises for the Multicultural Student Union and as President of Shades of Strength. Students, faculty, and staff alike will grapple with the absence of their peers, reflecting on shared moments and unfulfilled potentials. The pathways of education, typically bustling with the energy of ambition, now bear the quiet imprint of remembrance, as the university faces the difficult task of supporting its members through this period of unexpected grief.

Methodical Investigation Underway

The Rhode Island State Police continue their comprehensive investigation into the factors that contributed to the wrong-way collision. Route 146 North was closed for approximately four hours during the incident while emergency responders worked diligently at the scene. Such inquiries are often painstaking, involving the collection of forensic evidence, witness statements, and the analysis of vehicle data. Each piece of information is carefully assessed to build an accurate account of the incident. The aim is not merely to assign blame but to understand the sequence of events and underlying causes, which can range from human error to other unforeseen circumstances. The methodical nature of police work in these critical moments provides a foundation for any subsequent actions, ensuring that conclusions are drawn from facts and evidence rather than speculation. This careful approach is a testament to the gravity of what has occurred, acknowledging the lives lost and the quest for clarity amidst tragedy. The findings from this investigation will eventually offer a definitive narrative of the events of that early Sunday morning, bringing a measure of understanding to a profoundly sorrowful event.

A Broader Reflection

While the immediate focus remains on the specific details of this Lincoln, Rhode Island, crash, such incidents often prompt a broader reflection on road safety and the preciousness of each journey. The roads we travel, essential conduits of connection, can also become places of sudden, irreparable loss. This recent event, claiming three lives, including young students and Massachusetts residents, serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that accompany every driver and the collective vigilance required to safeguard our shared pathways. It is a moment for quiet consideration of the human element in every journey—the hopes and plans that accompany each departure, and the enduring impact when those journeys are tragically cut short. The quiet cadence of sorrow, though deeply personal, echoes through communities, inviting a thoughtful pause in the hurried pace of daily life.

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