December 09, 2025
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Grammy-nominated musician killed in Rhode Island crash

Roderick Macleod, 70, a former member of Roomful of Blues and a 2014 Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee, was struck and killed while walking his dogs on a Hopkinton roadway on Saturday. Police say the driver, 41-year-old Shannon Godbout, was driving recklessly, left her lane, hit multiple objects and then fatally struck Macleod; she was found with illegal narcotics and charged with driving to endanger resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute, with additional charges possible.

Public Safety and Crime Rhode Island

📌 Key Facts

  • Incident location: Hopkinton, Rhode Island; victim transported to Rhode Island Hospital and died of injuries
  • Suspect: Shannon Godbout, 41, alleged to have over 100 prior arrests, 82 warrants, and 40 traffic citations per police
  • Charges: driving as to endanger resulting in death; possession of narcotics with intent to distribute; suspect remained in custody at a hospital on Monday

📊 Relevant Data

Rhode Island's three-year recidivism rate is 50%, meaning half of released offenders return to prison within three years.

Recidivism Rates by State 2025 — World Population Review

In Rhode Island, drug involvement surged in fatal crashes, with the presence of cannabis, opioids, and other drugs detected in 51% of traffic fatalities where a toxicology test was performed.

What Rhode Island's Car Accident Numbers Mean for Drivers — Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum

Black Rhode Islanders are three times more likely than Whites to face drug arrests.

Black Rhode Islanders Three Times More Likely Than Whites To Face Drug Arrests, Report Finds — The Public's Radio

Hopkinton, Rhode Island, has a population that is 92.2% White, 4.0% Hispanic, and 3.3% two or more races according to 2023 data.

Hopkinton Demographics | Current Rhode Island Census Data — Rhode Island Demographics

📰 Sources (1)

Grammy-nominated musician killed by driver with over 100 arrests
https://www.facebook.com/CBSNews/ December 09, 2025