Bristol Police Chief Josue Canario has released a statement about the fatal crash involving a Bristol Fire Department deputy chief. The statement reads:

On Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at 5:56 p.m. Bristol Fire Department and Police Department were called to the property of 535 Metacom Ave. for a single vehicle crash. Located on the north side of the property was a 2012 Chevrolet pickup truck facing west occupied by a male operator.

According to witness accounts and preliminary information at the scene, the vehicle was traveling westbound on Sowams Road, crossed both north- and southbound lanes of Metacom Avenue (Rt. 136), continued west striking the metal fencing between 535 and 545 Metacom Ave., before coming to rest on the north side of the building at 535 Metacom Ave.

The owner and operator of the vehicle, Frank J. Sousa, 50, of Bristol, R.I., was attended to by Bristol Fire and Police members, extricated from the vehicle, and transported by the Bristol Fire Department to Rhode Island Hospital. Mr. Sousa was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital. There were no other injuries.

Mr. Sousa was a member of the Bristol Fire Department and was off-duty. The accident investigation is ongoing.