WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Former R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) CEO Scott Avedisian pleaded no contest Wednesday to leaving the scene of an accident with damage, and he was sentenced to six months probation. The former chief executive had initially pleaded not guilty on April 3 to one count of the misdemeanor charge. If he doesn't violate the law again during his six months of probation, a judge said Avedisian can get the charge expunged from his criminal record. Avedisian, who also formerly served for nearly two decades as Warwick mayor, declined to make a statement during the hearing at Kent County Court. His attorney, John Harwood, told 12 News that Avedisian is ready to put the case behind him and explained why the former mayor hasn't commented during the case. "When you're in public service for a lot of years, sometimes it's good to take your foot off the gas pedal, catch your breath, make sure you're healthy, and make sure you're getting your life going in the right direction," Harwood said. "And I'm sure he has been doing that and he's going to continue to do that."  Police said he crashed into another car in a McDonald's drive-thru on March 27, before he signaled for the other driver and a third car to pull over. He then took off without talking to the other drivers, according to police. Multiple victims of the crash told police and news outlets Avedisian appeared drunk at the time, and he didn't respond to the door of his home when police arrived just after the crash. He was not charged with drunk driving and his attorney has called allegations that he was intoxicated "a stretch." BACKGROUND: RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian is suspect in Warwick hit-and-run Avedisian, who was appointed to lead RIPTA in 2018, resigned amid rising public scrutiny tied to the crash. He was driving a state-owned SUV at the time. The RIPTA board accepted his resignation on April 16, and agreed to give him a $67,800 exit package, including 13 weeks of pay and unused vacation time. Harwood was unsure of what's next for Avedisian but said he is "upbeat" and ready to move forward, potentially with a role in the private sector. "I think in the very near future there'll be something that he may be attracted to, and I think be a productive person in whatever he chooses to do," he said. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW