Man charged with misleading police after deadly Exeter crash

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — A Providence man appeared in court Monday, accused of lying to police after his ex-girlfriend was fatally struck by a vehicle in Exeter. Tariq Famogun, 26, is also charged with violating a no-contact order that lists Milbia Hernandez as the protected party, according to court documents obtained by 12 News. Hernandez, 26, died at the hospital late Saturday night after she was hit by an SUV on South County Trail. Rhode Island State Police said their investigation revealed that she and another woman had gotten into an argument after picking Famogun up from work, leading them to pull over and get out of the rental car she was driving. At one point while the two women were fighting, Hernandez went into the roadway and was struck. The driver of the SUV that hit Hernandez remained at the scene and is not facing charges at this time. After the collision, Famogun allegedly got back into the rental car and took off. When police later caught up with him outside South County Hospital, they said he gave "inconsistent and conflicting statements" about what happened. Police said he initially denied being at the scene, then changed his story after learning that witnesses told troopers otherwise. He also gave differing reasons why he left the scene, according to police. "Based on inconsistencies in Tariq's statements and evidence gathered during the investigation, it was determined that Tariq intentionally misled law enforcement," court documents state. Famogun was arraigned Monday on charges of domestic violence (criminal violation of a no-contact order) and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty. His bail was set at $5,000 with surety, but he was then ordered held as a probation violator. Court records show that at the time of his arrest, Famogun was on probation for felony assault and gun charges from 2020 and a domestic simple assault and battery charge from 2025. He's due back in court on April 8. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.