Crime & Safety

Police ID Middletown Woman Killed in Pedestrian Accident

Sharon Gerlach, 59, of Middletown, was killed while crossing the road Thursday afternoon


Newport police released the name of a 59-year-old killed in pedestrian accident Thursday as Sharon Gerlach, 59, of Middletown. She was the co-owner of Portobello Jewelers on Bellevue Avenue.

Police said she was struck by a pick-up truck while crossing Bellevue Avenue. The driver, Craig Madison, 64, of Exeter, was cited with failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Police said sun glare might have been a factor in the accident.

This was the second fatal pedestrian accident in the area within a week. On Wednesday, Robert Silvia, 56, of Newport, died after he was struck by a pick-up truck while crossing Memorial Boulevard at Chapel Street in his wheelchair.

The incidents are under investigation by the Newport Police Department.  Patch will provide details as they are made available. 













Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.