Police investigation into Hopkinton murder ends with suspect killed in accident | Richmond & Hopkinton

Rhode Island police said Sunday that officers were attempting to arrest Joseph Francis, 45, in connection with the death of his estranged wife when he suffered fatal injuries in a high-speed crash, but the exact cause of death is pending autopsy results.

Rhode Island State Police said Francis died as a result of a traffic accident shortly before noon Saturday. The accident followed a nearly hour-long chase that began when Francis, who was wanted on charges of domestic homicide and violating a domestic restraining order in connection with the shooting of Stephanie Francis, was hospitalized.

Francis, his 44-year-old wife, was found Friday evening after Hopkinton police conducted a welfare check at their home at 171 Stubtown Road. The investigation led to the discovery of a woman named Francis, who appeared to have died from a gunshot wound.

A warrant has been obtained for Joseph Francis’ arrest, Rhode Island State Police said. A wanted notice has also been sent to all law enforcement agencies informing them of the warrant, the vehicle Mr. Francis was driving, and the fact that Mr. Francis is considered armed and dangerous.

On Saturday, around 10:50 a.m., Westerly police observed Francis driving a black Chevrolet Suburban on Route 1 North near the intersection with Route 78, according to police. Despite several attempts to stop him, he managed to elude officers, police said.

About 40 minutes later, his Suburban was found on Route 2 North in Charlestown, and officers from Richmond and Charlestown attempted to pull him over. Francis fled west on Dawley Park Road at a high rate of speed before crashing at the intersection of Dawley Park Road and Nooseneck Hill Road. Police said he drove west across both lanes of Nooseneck Hill Road, then rolled the vehicle over and came to rest on its roof in the woods.

Due to fears that Francis might be armed and dangerous, Charlestown and Richmond officers held their positions until the Rhode Island State Police tactical team determined it was safe. Francis was found unconscious in the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

The exact cause of death has not yet been determined pending the results of the autopsy, and the murder case remains under investigation, police said.