3 Dead, Including 2 College Students, After Fiery Wrong-Way Crash

Rhode Island officials confirmed that three people — including two college students — were killed over the weekend in a wrong-way crash.

In a news release, the Rhode Island State Police said authorities received 911 calls around 12:27 a.m. local time on Sunday, Jan. 25, about a vehicle traveling south on Route 99 North.

Soon after, emergency calls reported a crash involving the same vehicle on Route 146 North in Lincoln, state police added.

Police said a Ford pickup driven by Denis Aguilar Campos, 41, of Chelsea, Mass., was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 99. When Campos approached Route 116, the pickup struck a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling north in a high-speed lane.

Both vehicles caught fire following the collision.

Authorities identified the occupants of the Tahoe as Bryant University students Jaylin Rainford, 20, of Randolph, Mass., and Chiemelie Okonkwo, 20, of Lawrenceville, Ga. Police said Rainford was driving and Okonkwo was a passenger.

All three — Rainford, Okonkwo and Campos — were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

Bryant University, located in Smithfield, R.I., acknowledged the deaths of Rainford and Okonkwo in a social media post on Sunday.

“Our hearts are heavy as we grieve the tragic loss of two Bryant University students, Jaylin Rainford and David Okonkwo, both juniors and beloved members of the Bryant community,” the school wrote.

The statement continued: “Jaylin and David passed away this morning following a car accident involving a wrong-way driver, and this heartbreaking loss has deeply affected our campus.”

The university added that, with a significant winter storm affecting the region, all classes were canceled and administrative offices were closed on Monday, January 26, “so we can prioritize care and support for one another.”

“We hold Jaylin and David, and all who loved them, close in our thoughts and hearts, and we remain committed to compassion, connection, and care as we support one another through this tragedy,” the school said.

Bryant’s athletics department also mourned the loss, noting that Rainford was a member of the school’s track and field program.

“Jaylin…is remembered as a talented athlete, a leader, and a young man who brought joy to those around him,” the department said. “Our thoughts are with their family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew them during this difficult time.”