"Over 100 Arrests": Driver Who Killed Grammy-Nominated Musician Had Extensive Criminal History

HOPKINTON, Rhode Island — A Grammy-nominated musician known for his talent and cheerful spirit was struck and killed while walking his dogs on Saturday morning, with police revealing the driver involved has a staggering record of over 100 prior arrests.

The victim, identified as Roderick "Rod" MacLeod, 70, was a celebrated bassist from Richmond, Rhode Island. He was walking his two dogs along the shoulder of Route 128 in Hopkinton around 7:21 a.m. when an SUV, driven by 41-year-old Shannon Godbout, veered off the road. The vehicle hit two telephone poles before striking MacLeod. He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

MacLeod was a pivotal member of the renowned jump-blues and swing band Roomful of Blues. His talent earned the group a Grammy nomination in the 1980s, and he was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2012. After his time with the band, he continued to perform with local groups, including J.B. and the Sliding Capos, and was remembered by fellow musicians as a versatile and beloved figure.

"One hundred percent of the people that know him would say the exact same thing," fellow musician Doug James told local media. "He was just always upbeat and cheerful... Few people play that well on everything, and he did."

A Driver's "Lengthy and Alarming" Criminal Record

The driver, Shannon Godbout, was arrested at the scene. According to the Hopkinton Police Department, officers found her in possession of "numerous illegal drugs and packing materials commonly associated with drug distribution."

Investigators soon uncovered a criminal history they described as "lengthy and alarming." Godbout's record includes:

* Over 100 prior arrests across a dozen Rhode Island cities and towns.

* Eight of those arrests specifically by the Hopkinton Police Department.

* 40 traffic citations, including seven from Hopkinton.

* A pattern where most cases ended with pleas of no contest and suspended sentences, with the longest prison term served being just over two years. Court records show she had been ordered to attend substance abuse counseling seven times, most recently in April 2025.

Charges and a Broader Systemic Question

Godbout is currently charged with driving to endanger, resulting in death, and possession of drugs with intent to distribute. The police are also working with the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office to present her as a probation violator, which could lead to additional charges and potentially keep her detained.

The case has ignited a painful public debate, echoing far beyond Rhode Island, about the efficacy of the criminal justice system when dealing with repeat offenders with substance abuse issues. The revelation that someone with such an extensive record—including numerous traffic violations and failed court-ordered treatments—was still driving freely has led to questions about whether systemic failures contributed to this tragedy.

As the community mourns the loss of a local music legend, the focus now shifts to the legal proceedings against Godbout and the broader conversation about public safety, rehabilitation, and accountability.

*Source: Independent UK, WJAR (NBC 10 Providence).*

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