Tragic Hit-and-Run: Rhode Island Woman, Caitlin Kelly Faces Charges in Elderly Woman's Death


A young woman from Rhode Island is facing charges in a tragic hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of an 85-year-old woman earlier this month.


Caitlin Kelly, aged 27, has been accused of failing in her responsibility to stop after being involved in an accident causing personal injury. This felony charge could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, and she has also received a traffic citation for not reporting the incident, according to the Providence police.

The charges relate to the unfortunate incident on October 4, where Vanda Makovetskiy, aged 85, was fatally struck by a car while crossing North Main Street in Providence. The vehicle did not stop after the collision, and the victim was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she later passed away due to her injuries.

The sudden loss of Makovetskiy has deeply affected her 93-year-old husband, Anisim Makovetskiy, as stated by son-in-law Michael Deshaies. Deshaies mentioned that Anisim's life has been forever changed, and the incident has shattered his entire world. He further added that his wife, the victim's only child, is deeply affected as well.


The incident occurred near Makovetskiy's apartment on a Wednesday morning. The couple had nearly completed their crossing when the car, which seemed to come out of nowhere at a high speed, struck her, as described by Deshaies to WPRI, a Providence-based CBS affiliate. 

The 85-year-old was thrown to the ground and passed away after approximately four hours in the hospital, according to her obituary.

The eulogy for Makovetskiy described her as a vibrant senior citizen who enjoyed life to the fullest. She was known for her morning walks, hand in hand with her husband, a ritual they maintained since arriving in Providence from Ukraine in 1995. The couple was well-known in East Providence for these walks.

Deshaies expressed shock and outrage on behalf of the victim's family, emphasizing the urgency of bringing the driver to justice. He stressed that no one should escape accountability for such a heart-wrenching incident.


Law enforcement has not yet disclosed the details of their investigation that linked Kelly to the crime. Law&Crime reached out to the Providence Police Department for additional information but did not receive an immediate response.

As of last week, Kelly was in custody awaiting her arraignment in Providence District Court, according to the police. Rhode Island court records currently do not show a docket for the felony offense, although Kelly's case for the traffic violation is available online.

Deshaies reflected on how the woman who welcomed him into her family was taken from the world too soon. He spoke of her health, happiness, and zest for life, suggesting that she could have enjoyed another good ten years or more.

Deshaies also reminisced about the victim's final walk, emphasizing the daily routine of walking hand in hand at 6 o'clock in the morning along the same route. 

Comments