01:00 AM EST on Sunday, December 7, 2003

BY ALEX KUFFNER Journal Staff Writer

BARRINGTON -- A 25-year-old Barrington man was killed early yesterday morning after he was slammed into a telephone pole while riding an inner tube that was being towed by a truck on snowy roads, the police said.

The man, whose name the police did not release yesterday, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital just after 1 a.m., where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police charged the driver of the truck, Andrew Wessner, 23, of 17 Middle Hwy., Barrington, with driving under the influence, death resulting, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance while operating a vehicle, said Sgt. Lee Soito.

Wessner was arraigned yesterday by a bail commissioner and released on $10,000 surety bail. A passenger in the truck was released without being charged.

The accident occurred at the corner of Mayfield Drive and College Lane.

The victim was riding on an inner tube that had been tied with rope to the back of Wessner's Isuzu truck. The men appeared to have been off roading before turning back onto College Lane just before the accident, said Soito. The inner tube may have hit the pole when the truck turned a sharp corner onto Mayfield Drive, he said.

It's unclear how fast the truck was traveling. No other cars were involved in the accident.

Either Wessner or his passenger called 911 after the accident. Barrington rescue went to the scene and took the man, who had suffered severe head injuries, to Rhode Island Hospital.

The police were still waiting to notify his family yesterday.

Wessner was arrested after the accident and held at the Barrington Police Station overnight until his arraignment. Police found a pipe with marijuana in his possession, said Soito.

Submitted on 12/07/2003

Submitted by: PAUL NADEAU II
Reference: PROVIDENCE JOURNAL 12/7/03

Copyright © 2003 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Unsure here, he signed on for off-road tubing, does he become a bystander when the truck goes on the road? High Stupidity level either way.

Jack said:
Neutral: Other
Since I've not seen snow in over a quarter of a century, I'm not qualified to make a judgement about what sort of stunts people get up to. I pass on this one....

Greg said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence
The activity is not that uncommon, and the injury more the fault of the driver than the victim (although he was a willing participant.)

Bert said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Agree that the driver was probably more responsible, but the dead guy DID agree to do this. No mention if he was drunk/stoned, but you've got to suspect.

Charles said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I assume this is the first submission; there are many later ones in the slush pile rejects, in some of which it is mentioned that the driver at least was, well, under the influence. No word whether White was drunk / drugged, but I'm thinking this was probably a bystanders hurt deal.