Off-duty nurse, 34, who stopped to help the victim of a rollover crash is killed by a hit-and-run driver, 22, on Rhode Island highway

An off-duty nurse who stopped to help the victim of a rollover crash on a Rhode Island highway was killed by a hit-and-run driver.    

The Rhode Island State Police responded to a rollover crash on Route 95 North on Sunday in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, at 1.44am. 

Troopers learned that a Good Samaritan who tended to the initial crash victim was struck by a red-colored vehicle that fled the area.  

That Good Samaritan, identified as 34-year-old Jennifer Toscano, of Stoughton. Massachusetts, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

State troopers then launched a search for the driver of the red vehicle and later arrested Luis Baez, 22, of Boston. 

Jennifer Toscano was killed in an hit-and-run crash on Sunday morning and authorities have arrested Luis Baez  

Baez charged with a bevy of criminal charges, including driving under the influence of liquor and or drugs resulting in death, driving so as to endanger resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and operating on a suspended license. 

Baez was scheduled to be arraigned in Providence District Court on Monday.

A family friend of Toscano told WHDH that Toscano had a son who recently lost his father.

'They just want everyone to know how much of a selfless person she was. How much of an amazing daughter, sister, mother and friend she was. Her son is left without his mother and best friend,' the statement read.

Now, authorities are asking residents to be more mindful when traveling down Rhode Island highways. 

Family statement: 'They just want everyone to know how much of a selfless person she was. How much of an amazing daughter, sister, mother and friend she was. Her son is left without his mother and best friend'

'This was a terrible morning on our highways and one I hope to never see again,' said Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety.

The death of Toscano was one of three fatalistic car crash sites that Rhode Island State Police troopers dispatched to on Sunday morning.

'Alcohol, excessive speed and reckless driving appear to be factors in these incidents and as a result, three families have lost loved ones. Last night’s tragic death of a Good Samaritan – truly the first responder at the scene of a crash – is a horrifying reminder that we have a shared responsibility to make our roads safe.

'We have increased patrols and we respond to every call, but bad behavior continues to make our highways incredibly dangerous and these deaths were all preventable.

'We need motorists to slow down, buckle up, and not drive impaired. If you see someone driving dangerously, we encourage you to call 911 and help us to make our roadways safer.'  

The investigation into the rollover crash and the resulting fatal pedestrian crash continues. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact State Police Lincoln barracks at (401) 444-1100.