Friends of Christiano Fundraising for Late E.P. Teen's Family

A fundraiser for the family of Christiano Barbosa, killed in an early morning car crash at Bryant University Oct. 24, has nearly reached the halfway mark to its $10,000 goal.

The online fundraiser established on youcaring.com by Friends of Christiano had raised $4,500 by Tuesday morning. 

Barbosa, a Bryant University student from East Providence, was one of three back-seat passengers in a friend's car during a crash caused by the driver's unfamiliarity with the road and a tragic miscalculation, according to Smithfield Police.

Smithfield Police Capt. Michael Rheaume said the friends were driving down Physical Road on Bryant's campus leading to the university's physical plant at about 1 a.m., just out for a drive, when the driver took his eyes off the street to search for something in the center console. He realized he'd started to drive off the road, but hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, accelerating the car into a tree, striking it with Barbosa's side of the vehicle, Rheaume said.

Rheaume said the department is still awaiting a final report on whether Barbosa was wearing a seatbelt, though the other two rear-seat passengers were not.

Barbosa was transported by Life Flight helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died, and the other four occupants of the car were transported to the hospital by Smithfield rescue, treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and released. 

Rheaume said the driver passed a field sobriety test, and alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash. Rather, he said, it was a combination of circumstances including the driver's unfamiliarity with the road. "It's not a well-lit area," Rheaume said.

A funeral service was held for Barbosa Monday morning. The Friends of Christiano fundraiser page says, "This fund will bless the family of Christiano Barbosa, who has blessed many of our lives. He was a son, brother, friend, Bryant College Student, East Providence High School Alum, & Townie Enthusiast."