Police dismiss charge against suspended Bryant men's basketball coach Jared Grasso
NORTH SMITHFIELD — The North Smithfield police have dismissed their case against Bryant University men’s basketball head coach Jared Grasso.
The department issued a formal statement on Wednesday afternoon. The decision was authorized by Capt. Russell Ridge III and executed by administrative aid Valerie Orellana.
Grasso was arrested Oct. 3 on a misdemeanor charge of failing to stop for an accident resulting in damage. His vehicle, a 2020 Buick Enclave, was identified through eyewitness accounts and video footage of the accident scene on Route 146. The police subsequently interviewed Grasso at his North Smithfield home and took him into custody within 24 hours.
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“The Town of North Smithfield did file a 48a [Dismissal under Criminal Rule] in the case against Jared Grasso,” the statement stated in part. “Mr. Grasso’s insurance carrier accepted all liability in this matter — therefore, the case was dismissed.”
The police released body camera footage of that Oct. 2 interaction later that month. The 30-minute recording features Grasso and his wife, Andrea, in conversation with Officer Justin Switzer in the driveway of the Grassos' home. Switzer said he was investigating a hit-and-run accident involving two vehicles, and the occupants of one — a 2014 Chrysler Town & Country — identified Grasso’s vehicle as having left the scene.
“I can kind of conclude at that point there is enough evidence that it was him in the driver’s seat and he struck the vehicle,” Switzer said to Grasso's wife. “So, at this point he’s going to be charged with leaving the scene of an accident with an attended vehicle, which is a misdemeanor charge.”
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Grasso, accompanied by attorney Craig Montecalvo, surrendered himself to the police the following morning. He was formally booked, processed and released with a summons to appear in 3rd District Court. Grasso’s case was continued after he reported for a mandatory hearing on Oct. 24.
Grasso was placed on administrative leave by Bryant University prior to his arrest. A source within the Bryant administration said the decision was not related to Grasso’s health or that of his family members. The Bulldogs are believed to be investigating Grasso’s personal conduct during his time on campus, which began with his hiring ahead of the 2018-19 season.
Associate head coach Phil Martelli Jr. has been elevated to acting head coach; he has served in that capacity for the better part of the last seven weeks and was at the helm for an opening 61-59 home loss to Manhattan on Monday night. Martelli was one of the first hires made by Grasso and played a key role in helping the Bulldogs reach a first NCAA Tournament in program history. A source said Martelli is not under investigation and has had no contact with Grasso during his leave.
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“They just told me to run the program and go forward,” Martelli said last week. “There really wasn’t much information. I didn’t really have much information. It was go do the job that you need to do today.
“Really, that’s the way I’ve approached it every single day. What do we need to do today? Just handle it that way.”
Grasso signed a long-term contract extension with Bryant at the close of the 2021-22 season — it runs through the 2026-27 campaign. Terms were not disclosed but standard industry practices would dictate a significant buyout cost for the Bulldogs should they attempt to dismiss Grasso without due cause.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: North Smithfield police drop hit-and-run charge against Jared Grasso
