In a recent development, it has been reported that Scott Avedisian, the CEO of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), is expected to resign in the coming days after being charged in a hit-and-run car collision at a McDonald's drive-thru last month. According to sources familiar with the situation, Avedisian is currently in talks with the RIPTA board regarding the potential structure of an exit package.

The board has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday to discuss the CEO's behavior. However, when approached for comment, RIPTA spokesperson Cristy Raposo declined to discuss the behind-the-scenes conversations involving Avedisian, only confirming that his employment status has not changed at this time.

Avedisian has pleaded not guilty to leaving the scene of an accident with damage and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. Witnesses at the scene reported to the police that Avedisian seemed intoxicated during the collision involving two other drivers. Although he has not been charged with driving under the influence, the alleged intoxication has raised questions about the propriety of his actions.

The hit-and-run incident took place while Avedisian was driving a RIPTA-issued car, which was subsequently found parked at his residence in Warwick. Police noticed that the front end of the vehicle was damaged and the engine hood was still warm. Despite officers repeatedly attempting to contact Avedisian at his home, he did not respond to their calls or knocks on the door.

Avedisian has been leading RIPTA since his appointment by former Governor Gina Raimondo in 2018. Prior to his tenure at RIPTA, he had served as the mayor of Warwick for nearly two decades. The current chairman of RIPTA and director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Peter Alviti, expressed that he had not yet spoken with Avedisian about the incident, as they wanted to provide him with some time to think things through before meeting with the board.

Former Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood, who is representing Avedisian in the criminal case, dismissed claims of his client being intoxicated at the time of the crash as a stretch. The Rhode Island Attorney General's office is handling the case, but Avedisian has not publicly addressed any questions regarding the incident since it occurred.

As the situation unfolds, RIPTA will have to navigate the potential implications of Avedisian's charges and ultimately determine the course of action regarding his resignation.