North Providence Town Employee Charged Poisoning Coworker Wiper Fluid

Alessio D’Andrea, a 29-year-old North Providence town employee, was charged with felony poisoning after allegedly putting windshield wiper fluid in a Gatorade bottle at the Department of Public Works building, which a coworker later drank. The coworker immediately realized the liquid was not Gatorade and was informed by others that it was a prank before going to the hospital for about 36 hours of observation. The fluid contains methanol, which can cause serious health effects including blindness or death, and the victim has not yet returned to work. D’Andrea is currently on unpaid administrative leave and is awaiting trial for unrelated federal firearms charges involving illegal gun possession. The incident, which took place in late June and was witnessed by other employees, is being treated seriously by local authorities. It remains unclear if D’Andrea has obtained legal representation for the poisoning charge.