A 30-year-old Coventry man died after a motorcycle crash last Thursday outside a busy stretch of retail stores, leaving behind two young sons and a family now scrambling to cover funeral costs. Andrew Brailey was struck down near the Verizon Wireless store at 670 Centre of New England Blvd. just before 1 p.m., and he never recovered from his injuries.
Coventry police said officers were dispatched to the crash at approximately 12:57 p.m. Thursday, according to the Fall River Reporter. Emergency crews arrived to find Brailey with life-threatening injuries, and he was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, but life-saving efforts could not save him, according to NBC Boston.
Central Coventry Rescue transported Brailey to Rhode Island Hospital.
A Family Left Behind
Brailey leaves behind two sons, ages 5 and 10, along with four brothers, five sisters, and his parents. His brother set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the family cover funeral and burial costs, according to the same report.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Coventry Police Patrol Division and the Coventry Police Collision Reconstruction Team. The crash involved an SUV and a motorcycle, but the cause remains unclear.
Rhode Island's Helmet Law and Rider Risk
Under Rhode Island General Laws, motorcycle helmet use is required for operators under 21, new operators during their first year of licensure, and passengers. Rhode Island does not have a universal motorcycle helmet law, per the State of Rhode Island General Assembly.
The state recorded 10 motorcycle crash fatalities in 2025, with preliminary safety data showing that 40% of those killed were not wearing helmets, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Annual statewide motorcycle fatalities have ranged from eight in 2024 to 15 in 2023. Motorcyclists in the state are roughly 28 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than passenger vehicle occupants per mile traveled, per an analysis from Paul J. Ferns Law.
The Crash Investigation
The crash occurred on Centre of New England Boulevard.
No further details about the mechanics of the crash have been released as the investigation continues.
