By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — A 28-year-old Central Falls man died early Monday morning when his car struck a utility pole at 536 School Street near the Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket Police said.

The victim has been identified as David Valentin, of 3 Beacon St. He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police.
Police said the accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of School Street and Exeter Avenue. Officers responding to the call found that the car, a 1993 Buick owned by Susan Okleasky of the same address, had sustained heavy damage. Valentin was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
According to the police report, a friend of the Valentin’s who witnessed the accident told police that he had been following behind Valentin’s vehicle. He said he noticed Valentin was driving at a high rate of speed and he was having difficulty keeping up while following at a lower speed. He said he then saw Valetin strike the utility pole and he called 911.
According to Det. Donti Rosciti, the incident is still under investigation and police are awaiting the results of an accident reconstruction team in determining any other details surrounding the crash.