Crash in Pawtucket injures 2, sets cars on fire

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — "It was like I had a guardian angel. I pray to get to work safe and I pray to get home from work safe," John Ramos said.

Ramos says his Thursday morning commute took a turn after he hit the brakes while driving through the S-curves in Pawtucket.

"I felt the first impact, the second impact, and then the huge third impact. Then I got out of the car," Ramos said. "That's when I saw the severity of everything, the smoke, fire, people panicking."

Viewer video shows Ramos' car along with two others going up in flames, blocking the highway near the Cottage Street exit.

• MORE NEWS: Route 138 extension ready to open in Newport

State police said four cars were involved in the crash, hitting each other from behind in a domino effect.

Two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Other drivers were OK but couldn’t get out of their cars easily.

"I saw the driver kind of panicking in the driver's side window. Luckily, he was able to get out the passenger side window," Ramos said.

Northbound lanes were shut down for about an hour as Pawtucket firefighters put out the car fires.

As for Ramos, he says his car is toast, but he's grateful to have survived.

"I rather be here smiling and be here than worried about a car I would have replaced anyway," Ramos said.

Pawtucket's fire chief said crashes like this aren't typically something they see.

State police said no one is facing charges.