Pregnant URI Employee Dies in Rt. 4 Accident; Baby Survives

According to state police, a Providence woman was killed in a three-car accident on Route 4 north, just south of the Route 403-Frenchtown Road overpass, Friday at about 4 p.m.

The woman, Sullynette Sanchez, 23, of Providence, was nine months pregnant. She was pronounced dead at Kent County Hospital. Her baby was delivered at the scene and taken to Women and Infants, according to State Police Lieutenant Michael Gill.

According to EG Fire Chief Peter Henrikson, the rescue call came in at 4 p.m. When the rescue arrived at the scene six minutes later, a bystander was performing CPR on the Sanchez. Rescue took over and got Sanchez to Kent by 4:22 p.m., said Henrikson.

"I think the rapid transport is what hopefully saved the child’s life," he said Saturday. "It was a terrible tragedy. I don’t know if there’s anything worse."

Because of the emotional nature of the call, he said, "We called in some folks to talk our guys. That’s certainly not something they see every day."

There were no other serious injuries. Gill said the accident is still under investigation.

According to a statement released by URI, Sanchez, known as Sully, graduated from URI in 2011 and worked in the university’s admissions office.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss," the statement said.

While still an undergrad, a Providence Business News reporter wrote a question and answer profile on Sanchez. That interview is available online – click here.