PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former driver for Rhode Island’s nonemergency medical transport service who was involved in a crash that caused the death of a 77-year-old woman he was driving home from a dialysis appointment was arraigned Wednesday on drunken driving and other charges.
Dauda Elegushi, 25, of Providence, was released on $20,000 surety bond and because the judge determined that as a native of Nigeria he was a flight risk, he had to surrender his passport. He did not enter pleas to four felony counts and one misdemeanor stemming from the Nov. 27 crash in Coventry.
A phone message seeking comment was left with his attorney.
Elegushi worked for a subcontractor for Medical Transportation Management, which provides nonemergency transportation to medical appointments.
The state is now reviewing its contract with MTM and requiring a full audit of its subcontractors to make sure they meet the qualifications listed in the contract.
MTM said in an incident report last month that Elegushi was “not qualified, credentialed or an authorized driver” under its contract terms.
The two-car crash occurred Nov. 27, but the state says it wasn’t informed about it until Nov. 30. The 77-year-old woman died Dec. 3.
