(WJAR) — The North Smithfield Police Department on Thursday released bodycam video of an officer questioning Bryant University basketball coach Jared Grasso about an alleged hit-and-run crash earlier this month.
In the newly released video, the officer is shown going to Grasso’s residence to speak to him about the crash that took place on Route 146 on the morning of Oct. 1. The officer went to Grasso’s home the next day.
In the video, the officer tells Grasso that he is there to inquire about a vehicle in Grasso’s driveway that was involved in an accident.
A white SUV is seen on the video with damage across the passenger side of the vehicle.
Grasso tells the officer in the video that the damage was done at a restaurant he had visited and asked the restaurant to check its cameras.
He says his lawyer advised him not to go to the police department with the complaint, according to sound from bodycam footage.
The officer tells Grasso that he is investigating a hit-and-run that occurred on Route 146 and that those involved reported his vehicle’s plates.
Grasso is then informed that he will be charged with leaving the scene of the accident, a misdemeanor.
According to the written police report, the officer determined Grasso to be the suspect in the hit-and-run, and when he informed the coach he was being charged, Grasso’s behavior became “erratic” and he was “not cooperative.”
“Jared stated that there was ‘an attack going on,’” the police report read. “He seemed to believe there was a bigger conspiracy going on and indicated that [the responding officer] was involved.”
The video also shows the officer having a conversation with Grasso’s wife and a lawyer who was on speakerphone.
Eventually, Grasso’s wife got him back into the house, and after speaking with the wife and Grasso’s lawyer, Craig Montecalvo, he arranged for Grasso to turn himself in the next day at the station.
As previously reported, Grasso was placed on leave just days before this incident. Bryant has not given more details about that suspension.
Bryant University says an assistant coach would step in during Grasso’s absence.