A Rhode Island man is facing felony charges after police say he threw a trash can at a moving motorcycle during a crowded street festival, causing the rider to lose control and crash.
According to Providence Police, 35-year-old Robert Maggiacomo of Cumberland allegedly hurled a trash can at a motorcycle being ridden through the Feast of St. Joseph celebration on Federal Hill on June 6. Investigators say the impact caused the rider to lose control, sending the motorcycle crashing through a crowded area. (WJAR)
While many people watching video of the incident online focused on the rider’s actions, police say throwing an object at a moving motorcycle created an extremely dangerous situation for everyone nearby. The crash reportedly put numerous festival attendees at risk and left innocent bystanders in harm’s way. (WJAR)
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said the investigation found actions that allegedly placed both the rider and members of the public at serious risk. Detectives ultimately charged Maggiacomo with two felony offenses in connection with the incident. (WJAR)
Innocent Bystander Says He’s Lucky to Be Alive
Lost in much of the online debate about the rider and the man accused of throwing the trash can is the person who suffered the consequences of both men’s actions.
Christopher Woodley was enjoying an evening on Federal Hill with his fiancée when the motorcycle crashed into the outdoor dining area after being struck by the trash can. The out-of-control bike slammed into Woodley, leaving him injured and shaken. Woodley told reporters he considers himself fortunate to be alive following the incident. (YouTube)
According to Woodley, everything happened in a matter of seconds. One moment he was enjoying a night out, and the next he was struck by a runaway motorcycle with no opportunity to get out of the way. He said the experience serves as a reminder that reckless behavior—whether it’s riding dangerously through a crowded festival or throwing objects at a moving motorcycle—can have devastating consequences for innocent people caught in the middle. (YouTube)
While social media has largely focused on choosing sides between the rider and the man accused of throwing the trash can, Woodley’s injuries highlight the real issue: when tempers flare and poor decisions are made in crowded public spaces, innocent bystanders often pay the price.
As Woodley bluntly told reporters, “Somebody almost got killed.” In this case, that somebody wasn’t the rider or the man throwing the trash can—it was an unsuspecting person simply trying to enjoy a summer festival. (YouTube)
The rider, identified as 19-year-old Michael Carnevale of Johnston, wasn’t off the hook either. Police cited him for operating a motorcycle without a license, operating without proof of insurance, and charged him with reckless driving. (WJAR)
For motorcyclists, the story is a reminder of just how quickly a bad situation can turn tragic. It doesn’t take much to upset the balance of a motorcycle. Unlike a car, a rider has little protection when something unexpected enters their path—or in this case, is thrown directly at them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are far more vulnerable to serious injury or death in crashes than occupants of passenger vehicles. Even a relatively minor impact can send a motorcycle out of control in an instant.
Whether you believe the rider should have been there or not, taking matters into your own hands by throwing objects at a moving motorcycle is a recipe for disaster. When emotions take over, innocent people often end up paying the price.
In this case, police say both men now face consequences for decisions made in a matter of seconds. One allegedly turned a trash can into a weapon, and the other allegedly rode recklessly through a crowded public event. The result was exactly what riders and safety advocates warn about all the time: a preventable crash that put lives at risk.