Grammy-nominated musician Roderick MacLeod killed by driver with more than 100 arrests

A beloved Rhode Island musician was struck and killed as he was out walking his dog by a car driven by a career criminal with more than 100 arrests.

The deadly wreck occurred in Hopkinton around 7:20 a.m. Saturday, when Shannon Godbout veered out of her lane, struck multiple objects, including two telephone poles, before hitting 70-year-old Roderick MacLeod as he was walking his pup on the shoulder of the road, the Hopkinton Police Department said.

MacLeod — a Grammy-nominated bassist and member of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame — was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead.

MacLeod’s dog survived the crash and ran home, police said.

Godbout, 41, was found at the scene with numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials commonly associated with drug distribution.

She was arrested and charged with driving so as to endanger, resulting in death, and possession of narcotics, Schedule I/II, with intent to distribute, 3rd plus offense.

Godbout has a lengthy criminal history, including more than 100 arrests, the department revealed.

She has also previously had 82 court warrants issued against her and received 40 traffic citations.

Godbout was slated to appear before a justice of the peace and will be presented to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as a criminal violator, police said.

MacLeod was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame with the band Roomful of Blues in 2012 and received a Grammy nomination as a member of the band in the 1980s, according to the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

The celebrated musician was recently serving as a teaching associate for Brown University and a director of the school’s Old-Time String Band.

MacLeod was also a longtime volunteer of the New Hackensack Fire Department, where he served for 51 years, according to an online obituary.

He was serving as the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the New Hackensack Fire District when he died.

One of his oldest friends and fellow musicians, Doug James, told WJAR that he’ll always remember MacLeod for his “upbeat and cheerful” attitude.

“He was a good addition to anything he did. Few people play that well on everything, and he did,” James said.

“He really worked hard at all the stuff he did, but it never looked like that it always just came very easily — it appeared to come easily.”

“He was always great to be around and he was always great to play with. 100% of the people that know him would say exactly the same thing.”

MacLeod is survived by his wife of nearly 47 years, Karen, his daughter, Kate (Manny) Valdivia, and his grandchildren, Mance, Roddy, Ruthanne, and Megan.