This story is being updated as more information is released.
The identity of the 60-year-old woman who was killed around 2:45 pm on Sunday when a powerboat and sailboat collided near the Newport Pell Bridge has been identified.
Sandra Tartaglino of Tiverton was a crew member of the sailboat which was participating in the New England 100 Regatta, and was ejected from the boat when the sailboat she was in collided with the powerboat. She was recovered and pronounced dead on Sunday afternoon.
On Monday morning, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management released the following statement;
“The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today is identifying Sandra G. Tartaglino, 60, of 46 Arrowhead Drive, Tiverton, RI, as the victim in the collision between a powerboat and a catamaran sailboat in the Lower Narragansett Bay yesterday. While competing in a regatta, she was killed after her two-person boat was struck by a powerboat near the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge at around 2:45 PM.
DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) is investigating the incident, which is pending an autopsy, reconstruction, and witness statements. DEM has no timeframe on the investigation but will release a preliminary report later this week. DEM has no further information at this time and will not comment on an ongoing investigation.
DEM and DLE extend their sincerest sympathies to Sandra Tartaglino’s family and friends and the tight-knit New England sailing community.
According to a list of race registrants, Tartaglino was among eight teams racing in the Formula 18 division and was on-board Nacra / MKII. She entered the race on June 13, 2019″.
On Monday morning, USF18, an organization dedicated to organizing and promoting F18 sailing in the United States of America, identified the woman as Sandra Tartaglino, 60, of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
“With a very heavy heart, on behalf of the USF18 Class and entire sailing community, we would like to pass our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Sandra Tartaglino who passed away yesterday after a tragic collision with a motorboat during the New England 100 regatta in Newport, RI.
Sandra had organized this 30th anniversary event and she was at the very first one 30 years ago. Her parents were on site Saturday night for their annual support of providing their famous Stuffed Quahogs. As always, she was giving back to the sport which she loved so much.
Sandra was actively serving as USF18 Class Treasurer which she held for many years, her presence will be impossible to be replace. She always went above and beyond in the interest of the class and anyone that needed her help. Her support was instrumental in many events in the Northeast and all throughout the country.
Sandra loved catamaran sailing so much that she sailed anything from Nacra 6.0s in the Worrell 1000, Hobie 16s to Nacra 17s and more, she was a true competitor. She actively competed and placed in many major Championships.
Always thinking of others, she would bring brownies to give away during pack up at nearly every event. In 2014, when she couldn’t make it to the F18 North American Championships in Texas, she mailed a giant batch of her famous brownies to her fellow sailors and friends. A true testament to how caring of a person she was.
Just one week ago she handily won the Buzzards Bay Regatta on her F18 and this past weekend she was organizing the regatta in which this accident occurred.
Sandra was an amazing woman, we all learned so much from her on and off the water. While she passed away doing what she loved, she was taken far too soon and will be truly missed. Thank you for everything Sandra. Fair Winds and may you rest in peace.”
The crash is under investigation. Alcohol was not a factor, according to RIDEM.
This story is developing. We will continue to update this story as more information is released.
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Further Reporting
WPRI – One dead after power boat collides with sailboat in Narragansett Bay
WHDH – Coast Guard: 1 dead after boat collision in bay off Newport, RI