Daily Digest Online

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 ...