Former Cumberland hockey captain dies in Route 295 crash

LINCOLN - Former Cumberland High Clippers hockey captain Kyle J. McLaughlin, 19, died in a single-car crash on Route 295 in Lincoln Monday.

State police said Tuesday they do not know what caused McLaughlin, of 78 Mount Pleasant View Ave., to veer off the road and lose control of his Ford Explorer. Witnesses told police the vehicle rolled over on the right shoulder, just north of Route 146 in Lincoln. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police Lt. Arnold "Skip" Buxton stated that McLaughlin was not using his cell phone or text-messaging at the time of the accident. McLaughlin was driving in the high-speed lane when he lost control of his SUV, crossing over the middle and right lanes, Buxton said. Though the 19-year-old did not appear to be driving recklessly, police said they suspect he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

According to published reports, the Community College of Rhode Island student was traveling alone along Route 295 South with hockey equipment in his vehicle. Police said they are unaware of where he was going.

A dedicated hockey player, McLaughlin was the recipient of the Rev. Robert C. Newbold Most Valuable Player Award during his senior season, scoring three goals and an assist in the team's 2008 championship game against St. Raphael. He was one of the team's three senior captains when it clinched the Division II title that year.

Clippers hockey coach Mark Andreozzi, who led the team to the championship game in 2008, spent time with the school's hockey team Monday night to grieve with McLaughlin's former teammates. Counselors arrived at Cumberland High School Tuesday to help students and faculty through the loss.